XN000022-1995-10-18 — Page 70

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Governor's districts visits

The following is a question by the Hon Cheung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the Governor's visits to various districts of the territory since his assumption of office, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the districts which the Governor had visited and the respective dates of

those visits;

(b) of the districts in which special "whitewashing" works, such as repainting, extension or reconstruction and extra cleansing, were carried out by the Government departments concerned before the Governor's visit, as well as the districts in which he was requested to visit only those units that had been varnished over in advance; and the expenses involved in each of those special "whitewashing" works;

(c) whether the Governor knew and approved of these "whitewashing" works carried out by the departments concerned beforehand; and whether, whilst visiting the districts, he has heard of complaints from the public about their dissatisfaction with Government departments putting up facades and hiding the truth; and

(d) whether the Government considers that the extra "whitewashing" works carried out before the Governor's visit would conceal the actual situation of those districts, resulting in the Governor not being able to understand precisely the living standard and actual situation of the people; and whether it will review the existing practice of carrying out "whitewashing" works before the Governor's visit, so that he can truly understand the livelihood, feelings and grievances of the residents?

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