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fixed-term lease for which rent is charged. This is quite different from increasing the number of hawkers as some people think.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Francis Tang Chi-Ho (in Cantonese):—Regarding the Democratic Party's rationale concerning today's motion, an account was given by Mr. Lee Kwok-keung just now, but I wish to clarify a point made in Mr. Chiang Sai-cheong's speech.
In the motion concerning the art bazaar and flea market, the Democratic Party clearly stated that as we had reservation about using the Hong Kong Coliseum for the above purpose, we raised our objection, but we did not object to the organization of such an activity. I wish to clarify this point and would request that this be placed on record. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—The motion has been moved and seconded. The computer shows that there are no more Members who wish to speak. May I ask whether Ms. Jennifer Chow is going to exercise her right of reply? Ms. Jennifer Chow please.
Ms. JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I thank Members for contributing so many valuable views to the motion. I also thank Mr. Ambrose Cheung for seconding the motion. I wish to stress one point here. Just now Mr. Lee expressed some concern. In fact our motion only asks that a temporary measure be considered to ease the existing problem of unemployment. I need to stress the word 'temporary'. It is not 'permanent'. Hence there is no question of violating the well-established principles, overturning the existing policies or creating additional burdens. I consider that Mr. Lee need not worry about the problem of duplication, because any constructive options proposed by any Member should be given consideration as far as possible. There is not question of withholding consideration just because the two issues might overlap. I hope I will be supported in this respect.
I thank Mr. WEN Choy-bon for his speech supporting my motion. I appreciate his concern, especially about the need to consult local District Boards. I therefore stress that if the motion is carried, this must be referred to the working group for further study, formulation of the mode of effective management and local consultation. Site selection should also be carefully considered to avoid causing disturbance to the public. At the same time, appropriate publicity should be encouraged to let more people know that it is a temporary strategy. In this respect, I have to thank Mr. Chiang Sai-cheong for raising one point and that is, the measure will bring about effective management, which is often preferred to ineffective management.
I wish to emphasize that the spirit behind the motion is to ease the prevailing economic hardship, to enable the people of Hong Kong to make their own
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