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I feel I should say in that respect on a point that Dr. P. F. Woo raised, that consideration of our view is undoubtedly given by Government as I think it should be. We are trying to do a good job here and we have very extensive responsibilities. An example mentioned in his speech was air conditioning and as members have, I think, been informed, as a result of representations that we made the air conditioning legislation has in fact been advanced to Priority 1. That is the position at present. There is, however, a further snag in that particular matter which we won't go into today, but I hope it can be ironed out in the near future.
As to the quibble, perhaps, that Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen raised, whether it is eight or nine months delay, I don't think it really matters which, I think he is counting his eight months from the actual information to the Council by Mr. R. C. Lee that a certain recommendation had already been made by the Select Committee, whereas I am assuming that the recommendation was made somewhere between that eight months and the ten months since I originally raised the matter in my motion.
As regards the amendment, so far as I can see the amendment is designed to introduce to some extent a separate issue by way of the addition of the words "and furthermore that the Chairman should refer to the Select Committee" what in fact amounts to consideration on streamlining the car park procedure and giving more power to this Council in the matter of taking its own decisions. May I say at once that I see myself no reason not to support that amendment, but equally well it is separate and distinct from what I have proposed. If it is passed, all well and good, if it is not passed I trust that members will nevertheless support the motion that I have myself proposed. It arises out of my motion to this extent that this long delay has perhaps indicated the type of difficulties that we as a Council have to face when we are tied down too much, and in my opinion unnecessarily, by the Government itself so that we cannot put into force our decisions. We merely take a decision, put it up to Government and wait to see whether it is accepted and incorporated in the appropriate legislation. So that, I support the proposal. I think it is necessary. I see no reason why this Council through Mr. Lee's Select Committee should not decide that certain charges are appropriate and put them into force. I will therefore support the amendment, but I appreciate that there may be perhaps a greater difference of opinion on that than on the substance of my motion,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
which is perhaps, I may almost say, too obvious for words. We have been kept waiting for about nine months and I would suggest to members that we are disturbed about it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN:-The first question is whether Mr. Bernacchi's motion should be amended as proposed by Mr. Cheong-Leen.
MR. BERNACCHI:-On a point of order I think perhaps the position is that the amended motion is put to the vote as a motion. I am looking at Standing Orders.
CHAIRMAN:-I am afraid not, Mr. Bernacchi. I consider that the first question to be asked is whether the original motion is amended. I shall then put it to the vote a second time if passed.
MR. BERNACCHI:-You are putting to the vote now, sir, the amendment that has been proposed?
CHAIRMAN:-The question whether the amendment should be added to your motion.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I see.
CHAIRMAN:-The present vote concerns only the amendment.
The question was put.
The motion was carried 1 to 5.
CHAIRMAN:-The next question is the general issue of the motion. Does anybody wish to speak again? No. The question is whether the amended motion should be carried, that is the amended motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried 11 nil.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business for today, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council will adjourn until 2nd December.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I feel I should say in that respect on a point that Dr. P. F. Woo raised, that consideration of our view is undoubtedly given by Government as I think it should be. We are trying to do a good job here and we have very extensive responsibilities. An example mentioned in his speech was air conditioning and as members have, I think, been informed, as a result of representa- tions that we made the air conditioning legislation has in fact been advanced to Priority 1. That is the position at present. There is, however, a further snag in that particular matter which we won't go into today, but I hope it can be ironed out in the near future.
As to the quibble, perhaps, that Mr. Hilton Cheong-Leen raised, whether it is eight or nine months delay, I don't think it really matters which, I think he is counting his eight months from the actual information to the Council by Mr. R. C. Lee that a certain recommendation had already been made by the Select Committee, whereas I am assuming that the recommendation was made somewhere between that eight months and the ten months since I originally raised the matter in my motion.
As regards the amendment, so far as I can see the amendment is designed to introduce to some extent a separate issue by way of the addition of the words "and furthermore that the Chairman should refer to the Select Committee" what in fact amounts to consideration on streamlining the car park procedure and giving more power to this Council in the matter of taking its own decisions. May I say at once that I see myself no reason not to support that amendment, but equally well it is separate and distinct from what I have proposed. If it is passed, all well and good, if it is not passed I trust that members will nevertheless support the motion that I have myself proposed. It arises out of my motion to this extent that this long delay has perhaps indicated the type of difficulties that we as a Council have to face when we are tied down too much, and in my opinion unnecessarily, by the Government itself so that we cannot put into force our decisions. We merely take a decision, put it up to Government and wait to see whether it is accepted and incorporated in the appropriate legislation. So that, I support the proposal. I think it is necessary. I see no reason why this Council through Mr. Lee's Select Committee should not decide that certain charges are appropriate and put them into force. I will therefore support the amendment, but I appreciate that there may be perhaps a greater difference of opinion on that than on the substance of my motion,
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159
which is perhaps, I may almost say, too obvious for words. We have been kept waiting for about nine months and I would suggest to members that we are disturbed about it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN :-The first question is whether Mr. Bernacchi's motion should be amended as proposed by Mr. Cheong-Leen.
MR. BERNACCHI :-On a point of order I think perhaps the position is that the amended motion is put to the vote as a motion. I am looking at Standing Orders.
CHAIRMAN :-I am afraid not, Mr. Bernacchi. I consider that the first question to be asked is whether the original motion is amended. I shall then put it to the vote a second time if passed.
MR. BERNACCHI :-You are putting to the vote now, sir, the amendment that has been proposed?
-The question whether the amendment should be
CHAIRMAN:-' added to your motion.
MR. BERNACCHI :-I see.
CHAIRMAN :—The present vote concerns only the amendment.
The question was put.
The motion was carried 1 to 5.
CHAIRMAN :--The next question is the general issue of the motion. Does anybody wish to speak again? No. The question is whether the amended motion should be carried, that is the amended motion.
The question was put.
The motion was carried 11 nil.
ADJOURNMENT.
CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business for today, Ladies and Gentlemen. Council will adjourn until 2nd December.
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