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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

In this year's Estimates, the question of inadequate leave reserve has been stressed. It appears that many of the staff, especially those in the clerical and out-door posts are unable to take annual leave due to inadequate staff. I would like to strongly support the recommendations covering those additional posts which would allow the staff to take their proper leave.

I also fully endorse the recommendation regarding require- ments for the Hawker Control Unit. Unless the Unit is sufficient- ly staffed its work cannot be properly organized to cope with the needs of the Hawker community.

Finally, may I put forward the suggestion for your considera- tion, Mr. Chairman, that a "Courtesy Code" be drawn up and circulated to all members of the Urban Services Department staff. What should be included in such a Code is within the discretion of the Chairman. But I have no doubt that a simple and well- prepared Courtesy Code will bring about even better under- standing and confidence between the public and the Department staff than already exists.

Yesterday I was crossing the ferry with a friend who said: "The Urban Council is all the time calling for cleaner homes and cleaner streets. But what is being done to train Urban Services Staff to be more polite to the public. Last week, continued this friend, a Health Inspector visited my house. When he entered, I said 'Good morning'. He made no effort to answer. He walked into the kitchen, my wife was there, she said 'Good morning'. Again, no answer.”

It would seem desirable, Mr. Chairman, that any Courtesy Code should point out to Urban Services staff that a simple and friendly "Good Morning" can quite often work wonders in obtain- ing the co-operation and goodwill of householders.

MR. A. DE O. SALES :-Mr. Chairman, I am also being put to bowl for my side. I have always considered you, Mr. Chair- man, as being the acme of correctness. In this instance may I suggest that you as the umpire look the other way and refrain from shouting "no ball" until I have found my

CHAIRMAN:-Maybe I might shout "wide" Mr. Sales!

MR. SALES-Thank you, sir. I have listened with great interest to the comments made by the Elected Members of this Council. I have always held them in the greatest admiration and

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have endeavoured to support them in all their projects no matter how trying it has been for me! (Laughter) I agree wholehearted- ly with Mr. Bernacchi that this Council should be widened to have more representative members elected by the people of Hong Kong. At the same time I suggest that he consider that the same member- ship should be widened so that there may also be more nominated members, lest the poor people of Hong Kong be not represented here. It has never been suggested, Mr. Chairman, that those who exercise the vote belong to the underprivileged class, whereas having Nominated Members on this Council means in effect that the poor people of Hong Kong do have some men of independent character and opinion to voice their views in this-

-On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, are

MR. CHEONG-Leen :· we discussing the Estimates?

MR. SALES :-Is Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen perchance the Chairman of this Council?

CHAIRMAN :-I am afraid there is no point of order, Mr. Cheong-Leen, but I would ask you to confine your remarks, Mr. Sales, to questions of personnel.

MR. SALES-Yes, I have, Mr. Chairman, the personnel of this Council. I am not a member of the Estimates Select Com- mittee but I do share with Dr. Raymond Lee his admiration for the long hours they have spent in their task. There is one aspect of the work of this Council which requires perhaps some comment by way of a feeler. There is a growing conviction on my part that the Resettlement Department which has achieved great success within its scope could perhaps be widened in extent and responsibility to take into account the housing of the poor people of Hong Kong. So far it has been given the task of resettling squatters, by and large refugees, whereas the people of Hong Kong who live in hovels and are by force of circumstances deprived of good living conditions are, to a very great extent, not catered for. In this context, Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that you, as the spokesman of this Council, might give consideration to and approach Government on the point which I have raised today, and which I intend to develop at the first opportunity.

CHAIRMAN:-1 am very gratified by your kind words and can assure you that the staff will do their utmost to carry out their alloted duties for the coming year.