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Effect changes in culture? Culture here refers to the thoughts, customs and behaviour of a society. The traditional relationship of the governing body versus the governed has been gradually replaced by the relationship between the service provider and the customers. We should make a further step to encourage more active public participation in municipal services. This should not be confined to electing Councillors to be their representatives in the municipal councils. They should be urged to realize that everyone has the responsibility to promote the cleanliness of our city, physical and mental health, and art appreciation which enriches our lives, etc. The transformation from being governed to being able to take part in the governing process signifies an important evolution in social civilization. I believe that the Council's function in respect of cultural promotion should not be confined to the development of art; we should also play a role in the development of social culture. As far as public education is concerned, we should adopt innovative methods and avoid indoctrination. We should encourage the public to involve themselves in a partner relationship with the Council so that the objective of “Enriching City Life" can really be achieved.
Mr. Chairman, on the threshold of the new millennium, let us review the past, look forward into the future, broaden our horizons, change our mode of thinking and transform so as to meet new challenges and enter into a period of peace, happiness, prosperity and ideal government.
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman,
As Chairman of the Review Select Committee, I would, as usual, take this opportunity to talk about my perception of the Committee's work in the past year.
The Review Select Committee has handled several hundred cases during the past few years. In 7 months last year, it handled 26 appeal cases, including those applications for succession to Fixed Pitch Hawker Licences as well as issuance of General Restaurant Licences and Food Factory Licences etc.
Regrettably, the Review Select Committee will probably disappear with the dissolution of the Council. According to the proposed organization of the new structure delineated in "The Consultant's Report on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Services in Hong Kong" by Mr. Albert LAM Chi Chiu, the Review Select Committee will be replaced by a “Licensing Appeals Committee".
With the implementation of the new demerit points system by both the Urban Services Department and the Regional Services Department, the licensed food premises will be penalized for breach of the food legislations. Therefore, the number of food premises facing suspension or revocation of
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