TNAG-2005-FCO40-2853-Hong-Kong-political-parties-1990 — Page 39

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All the residents groups are represented in one committee or the

other. They have also invited people from different sectors of the

community to participate, e.g. the Industrial and Commercial Affairs

Committee has representatives from workers and factory owners. College

lecturers or representatives from specialized departments are also, from

time to time, invited to sit on the committees.

According to him, the number of KTDB committee members of this

term doubles that of last term, totalling 30-40 members; there can hardly

be any monopolization. However, he says that as DB members are involved

in a wide range of activities and thus have more information, they

inevitably contribute more ideas in the meetings.

the result of their good efforts.

But he thinks this is

Efforts to improve people's livelihood achieved better results

Nevertheless, it seems that the efficiency of the Fifteen in

improving the livelihood of the district have gained due recognition. Quite

a number of people from the grass-root organizations, including the

conservatives, cannot but admit that the Fifteen, who always ally with one

another, have achieved some success in pushing the government into making

improvement. A good case in point was the passage of the Air Pollution

Control (Fuel Restriction) Bill.

In order to get the Bill

passed, the Fifteen went around lobbying officers of the Environmental

Protection Department, Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils,

and other persons concerned. They also held press conferences many times

on the air quality of Kwai Tsing District, thereby exerting pressure on the

government and speeding up the legislative process.

Fifteen.

This is regarded as the most brilliant victory ever won by the

One of the main reasons why the Fifteen win the approval of the

public is that they dare to speak and act in the District Board.

When they

fight for certain rights and interests, they take a much firmer stand than

the conservatives or appointed members. For instance, the previous District