-
4
I
But there are concerns expressed by unions about the way the scheme works. Some of those concerns have also been expressed by employers representatives. There are concerns about occasional abuses of the system. We have to look at those points in particular but we also have to look at the long-term relationship between the importation of labour and Hong Kong's competitiveness. What would be absolutely senseless would be to take short-term measures for short-term political gain at long- term economic cost to the community and I don't think that would be to anybody's advantage.
Mr Lee Cheuk-yan (through interpreter): I heard that we're going to have comprehensive strategies to tackle unemployment. Now I would like to know what immediately would be done? I just want to know what will the immediate measures be? In particular, next week we're going to have a summit, will the Government have any new proposals?
Governor: The principal purpose of that summit will be twofold and the purposes are similar to those of previous summit's we have had on subjects like the transport needs of those with disabilities, the employment needs of those will disabilities, drug abuse, all of which have, I think, proved worthwhile and have helped us to shape comprehensive strategies in those areas. The first purpose of the meeting I've called for next week is to try to develop a dialogue between the Administration, employers and unions, so that we can have a serious discussion rather than a shouting match over what is to the whole community an extremely important issue. I hope that we can promote a dialogue. I know that one or two Honourable Members have been suggesting this for some time rather than provoke an argument. Secondly, we will, of course, put forward our thoughts but we hope that unions and employers will put forward their ideas too. We don't think that we have a monopoly of wisdom in this area. We do think there are steps that we have to take straight away. I've mentioned some of them in the areas of job placement, in the areas of retraining. We have to take tougher measures against those who at present are working illegally. Those are all measures that we have to take as a matter of urgency but I hope in taking those measures and others, we won't lose sight of the overwhelming importance of retaining Hong Kong's competitiveness because unless we do that we'll see unemployment rising higher than it is today and that's something that all of us want to avoid.
Mr Henry Tang: Mr President, Governor, good afternoon. My question regards voter registration in the 21 old functional constituencies. I am sure today is the last day for registration as a voter and I do not expect that registration of the 21 old functional constituencies, with the exception of those who do not have to re-register, such as teachers, will be ideal. In fact it is substantially less than ideal. And I think there are a couple of reasons - and I also have a question after it.
J.
.