XN000022-1995-10-18 — Page 71

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Answer:

Mr President,

My reply to the question is as follows:

(a) Since arriving in Hong Kong in July 1992, the Governor has made 40 district visits as part of a continuing programme to familiarise and update himself with district issues and personalities. A detailed list of the districts visited is at Annex. The Governor has also made other theme visits and unannounced visits for specific purposes, such as seeing for himself living conditions in Temporary Housing Areas (THA).

(b)&(c) One of the main aims of the Governor's visits is to enable him to see for himself what places are like in the normal course of events. It is not usual practice for Government departments to undertake redecoration or improvement work specifically for visits by the Governor. All Government departments are aware that they should not go beyond normal cleansing or maintenance of public facilities or venues which the Governor would be visiting and that they should resist any temptation to provide an unnaturally favourable impression. Indeed, the Governor has asked specifically that this should not be done. The only exception should be where it is relevant to demonstrate a revised standard. This was the case with the recent visit by the Governor to a THA where one of the several units seen by the Governor had been refurbished. This was done, with the knowledge of the Governor, to demonstrate the improved refurbishment standard which will be applied by the Housing Department.

The costs of routine cleansing and maintenance are absorbed as part of normal departmental expenses.

(d) The Governor makes a point of talking to as many people as possible during his visits to help give him a better understanding of the feelings and aspirations of the residents. Very often the Governor achieves this by detouring from the suggested routing and visiting facilities not on the suggested programme. For the same reason, the Governor undertakes unannounced visits to see first-hand the situation on the ground and to talk directly to residents and members of the public.

End/Wednesday, October 18, 1995