TNAG-0259-FCO40-295-Legislation-for-prevention-of-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 97

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-2nd October 1969.

[MR FUNG] Motion

If any developer complains he is told haughtily that he can keep his space but he can also go without his electricity supply. This is a ridiculous attitude which borders on blackmail, for where else can a consumer obtain power except from the existing Companies?

Is there really nothing that Government can do about this issue? Must property developers continue to submit to the arbitrary require- ments of what are virtually monopoly holders? The situation may be tolerable if the electricity companies were losing money or making only slender profits. But they are reaping fat returns and can well afford to pay some compensation or rental for the space they require to conduct their own business.

I recall that following recommendations made by the Electricity Supply Companies Commissioner in 1959, Government announced that it would prepare legislation as a matter of urgency to afford consumers safeguards in matters of concern to them. I do not know what is the present state of that legislation. If it is still intended to enact legisla- tion, is it not possible to include some provisions to regularize the demands of the electricity companies for space for transformers on private properties. The public, particularly the developers, would welcome a statement by Government expressing its views on this subject.

Another matter of public dissatisfaction which is of more direct concern to Government is the poor service provided by the Immigration Department. One hears and reads constantly of complaints about discourtesy, delays and allegations of an even worse nature. The criminal proceedings over the last few months against members of that department have been widely welcomed. If Government is not aware of this public dissatisfaction, can Government nominate a senior official outside that department to whom members of the public can go with their complaints in reasonable expectation that not only their individual complaints will be attended to but that the general system which gives rise to the complaints will be overhauled. I should be very surprised indeed if such an official would not be inundated with complaints if he were nominated. If Government is already fully aware of public dissatisfaction, can Government undertake in due course to publish a White Paper setting out the results of its investiga- tions and what is being done or has been done to rectify defects in the system. Only by so doing can Government gain the confidence of the public and demonstrate that it has the courage and determination to face up to its short-comings and to overcome them. There is already too much teahouse gossip about the affairs of this department and any attempt by Government to avoid public embarrassment can only further damage the image of Government.