TNAG-1449-FCO40-1953-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 92

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2.

Meanwhile, arrangements continue to be

made under the "Meet-the-Public" Scheme in all

nineteen districts for District Board members to

meet local residents. Furthermore, additional

space has become available in all community centres taken over by CNTA on a booking basis for use by board members for the same purpose.

3.

In recent months, groups of District Board members have renewed their pleas for the provision of such financial assistance and several members

of this Council have also made similar suggestions. A second survey conducted in April this year showed that the number of District Board members having

acquired offices to meet their constituents had

increased to 155 representing about 40% of the total membership, and 73 of them were reported to be paying rent. These figures suggest that there is a growing demand for these facilities

and call for the question of financial assistance

to be reconsidered.

4.

CNTA together with the Finance Branch

are now examining in detail the justification for the various possible means of assistance

including, inter alia, whether better use

can be made of the government premises currently available to board members. If financial

assistance is to be provided, we would still need to identify the most cost-effective way

to achieve it. For example, whether instead

of a separate allowance, the present honorarium

of board members should be increased to include

an element of office rental. I would therefore

like to assure Dr. Lai and all others concerned

/that