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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

This question concerns electoral reform.

"During the course of its review of the compilation of the electoral register, the Urban Council Electoral Procedure Select Committee made certain sugges- tions which were forwarded to Government for consideration. These are still under consideration, and I am unable to say whether or not they will be accepted. Insofar as any necessary legislation is entailed, there is little likelihood of this being in- troduced to meet the time-table of next year's elections."

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI :-1 would ask a supplementary to Dr. Woo's question sir, and that is: can you in due course, I don't mean today, give any explanation to this Council as to why it was not possible. The Select Committee was formed shortly after the last elections with the definite intention that the recommenda- tions would be available to enable the proper legislation to be introduced in time for next year's elections and I do hope that in view of what you now say, sir, that it will not be so introduced, that some explanation will be given to this Council for this decision.

CHAIRMAN :—I am afraid I cannot commit myself in advance, but I will convey your remarks to Government.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN :-Is the Chairman aware of the fact that probably Government might have forgotten that next year was to have been an election year and did not give a decision in time?

CHAIRMAN:-I think Government is like the elephant. It never forgets!

MR. Y. K. KAN asked the following question :-

"What progress has been made with regard to the Pro- gramme for Hawker Operations decided on by the Hawkers and Markets (Policy) Select Committee on the 18th April, 1958?"

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

105

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

This concerns scavenging around markets.

"Since the decision of the Select Committee on 18th April, and arising from a further decision taken at a joint meeting of the Hawkers and Markets (Policy) and Scavenging Select Committees on 13th May, a programme for a series of major scavenging opera- tions around markets has been drawn up and is at present in process of execution. This programme covers 12 markets in Hong Kong and 6 in Kowloon, and as each market is cleaned up, field staff will be in a much better position to assess requirements for the eventual hawker operations envisaged by Select Committee and to plan accordingly. At Stanley, a hawker operation is about to be put in hand. You are no doubt aware that the success of all hawker operations depends entirely on the Department's ability to maintain subsequent order among the hawkers. Until the Hawker Control Unit is func- tioning and if the hawker operations are to be under- taken fairly soon, it is necessary to find some means of ensuring at least temporary modified control. This matter is receiving the attention of my staff and proposals for the appointment of additional temporary officers have already been approved. It is expected that detailed plans for all hawker operations proper will be completed within the next three months."

MR. Y. K. KAN asked the following question :—

"What considerations, if any, has the appropriate Select Committee given to the proposal put forward by me at the April meeting for the revision of the present Basement Policy?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows :—

This concerns basement policy.

"The present Basement Policy has been reviewed by the Basements and Cubicles Select Committee and re- commendations are being forwarded to the Law Revision Select Committee for inclusion in the new legislation.