1964 — Page 201

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. K. A. WATSON:- Mr. Chairman, I rise to second Mr. SALES' motion.

MR. BERNACCHI:-- As the meeting is going to be a long one, I will limit my reply to saying, and I think I have the general right of reply, that the Vice-Chairman has specifically brought to our attention the fact that one of his duties on the Medical Advisory Board is to advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council. How can our Vice-Chairman advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council if the minutes of the Medical Advisory Board's meetings are not made available to us? Is he proposing to lobby opinions in private or something like that? I submit that the only practical and indeed democratic way of doing it is that the minutes be either laid on the table or circulated to Members, and Members in Standing Committee should take up points with our Vice-Chairman to raise at the next meeting. Then, indeed, he can advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council.

As regards the motion for adjourning my motion into Standing Committee, in view of the objection raised, should I say by Officials through the Vice-Chairman, I do not oppose it and will not vote thereon.

CHAIRMAN:- The motion that the subject of debate be referred back to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council has been proposed by Mr. SALES and seconded by Mr. WATSON.

The question was put.

The motion, as proposed by Mr. SALES, was carried.

(2) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN moved the following motion:

This Council urges Government to give urgent priority to the enacting of legislation arising out of the recommendations in the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing.

He said: Mr. Chairman, housing to-day is the most urgent problem facing the people of Hong Kong. That is why when the Colonial Secretary moved in Legislative Council on September 16th, 1964 that the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing be accepted as a general guide to future policy, much interest was aroused among the local community. Approximately two months have elapsed since the White Paper was accepted in Legislative Council and yet no legislation has been introduced in that body to give legal effect to the various recommendations in the White Paper.

Page 202 of 312

380

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

I have been in telephone communication with my good friend the Commissioner for Resettlement on two occasions in regard to this matter. I advised the Commissioner that I was prepared to withdraw the motion from the agenda of to-day's meeting if there were an assurance forthcoming from Government that the necessary legislation would be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964. As it was not possible for the Commissioner for Resettlement to obtain this assurance from Government, I had no alternative but to leave the motion in to-day's Agenda. I do not think, Mr. Chairman, that there has been any delay on the part of the Resettlement Department, which is in the unhappy dilemma of having to defend the Government's position. Government claims that the drafting of legislation on this White Paper is being given priority. That may be true up to a point. What I am concerned about is whether in the Legal Department this particular subject is right on top of the top drawer of the priority cabinet. Since it has not been possible for Government to give any assurance that legislation to give effect to the White Paper's recommendations can be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964, I can only assume that it does not have first and immediate priority.

The purpose of this motion, therefore, is to urge Government to take steps to enact such legislation as a matter of urgent priority so that this Council can, among other things, set about its responsibilities to improve living conditions for the tens of thousands of people who will become Government tenants in licensed areas and transit centres. Government needs to be reminded that a great deal still has to be done to improve social services, such as providing schools, clinics, welfare centres and public transport, in the areas which will be designated as licensed areas and also to a less degree as transit centres. Residents coming out from dangerous buildings or from excluded premises should not be required to be herded into sites which are barren and bereft of social services. These residents are entitled to all the public health and welfare amenities which are expected of a well-to-do and civilized community like Hong Kong.

I beg to move.

MR. CHEUNG WING-IN: Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion moved by my colleague Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN. Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has posed a challenge to the Government administrative machinery. In view of the tremendous significance that housing has for the people of Hong Kong, I urge the Government to step up the pace of its work, so that the enacting legislation on the White Paper can be introduced at an early date. Two months have gone by since the White Paper was accepted in the Legislative Council. If we are to go forward full speed ahead with our low-cost housing programmes, it is necessary that there should be no delay in the necessary legislation.

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. K. A. WATSON:- Mr. Chairman, I rise to second Mr. SALES' motion. MR. BERNACCHI:-- As the meeting is going to be a long one, I will limit my reply to saying, and I think I have the general right of reply, that the Vice-Chairman has specifically brought to our attention the fact that one of his duties on the Medical Advisory Board is to advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council. How can our Vice-Chairman advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council if the minutes of the Medical Advisory Board's meetings are not made available to us? Is he proposing to lobby opinions in private or something like that? I submit that the only practical and indeed democratic way of doing it is that the minutes be either laid on the table or circulated to Members, and Members in Standing Committee should take up points with our Vice-Chairman to raise at the next meeting. Then, indeed, he can advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council. As regards the motion for adjourning my motion into Standing Committee, in view of the objection raised, should I say by Officials through the Vice-Chairman, I do not oppose it and will not vote thereon. CHAIRMAN:- The motion that the subject of debate be referred back to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council has been proposed by Mr. SALES and seconded by Mr. WATSON. The question was put. The motion, as proposed by Mr. SALES, was carried. (2) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN moved the following motion: This Council urges Government to give urgent priority to the enacting of legislation arising out of the recommendations in the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing. He said: Mr. Chairman, housing to-day is the most urgent problem facing the people of Hong Kong. That is why when the Colonial Secretary moved in Legislative Council on September 16th, 1964 that the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing be accepted as a general guide to future policy, much interest was aroused among the local community. Approximately two months have elapsed since the White Paper was accepted in Legislative Council and yet no legislation has been introduced in that body to give legal effect to the various recommendations in the White Paper. Page 202 of 312 380 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL I have been in telephone communication with my good friend the Commissioner for Resettlement on two occasions in regard to this matter. I advised the Commissioner that I was prepared to withdraw the motion from the agenda of to-day's meeting if there were an assurance forthcoming from Government that the necessary legislation would be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964. As it was not possible for the Commissioner for Resettlement to obtain this assurance from Government, I had no alternative but to leave the motion in to-day's Agenda. I do not think, Mr. Chairman, that there has been any delay on the part of the Resettlement Department, which is in the unhappy dilemma of having to defend the Government's position. Government claims that the drafting of legislation on this White Paper is being given priority. That may be true up to a point. What I am concerned about is whether in the Legal Department this particular subject is right on top of the top drawer of the priority cabinet. Since it has not been possible for Government to give any assurance that legislation to give effect to the White Paper's recommendations can be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964, I can only assume that it does not have first and immediate priority. The purpose of this motion, therefore, is to urge Government to take steps to enact such legislation as a matter of urgent priority so that this Council can, among other things, set about its responsibilities to improve living conditions for the tens of thousands of people who will become Government tenants in licensed areas and transit centres. Government needs to be reminded that a great deal still has to be done to improve social services, such as providing schools, clinics, welfare centres and public transport, in the areas which will be designated as licensed areas and also to a less degree as transit centres. Residents coming out from dangerous buildings or from excluded premises should not be required to be herded into sites which are barren and bereft of social services. These residents are entitled to all the public health and welfare amenities which are expected of a well-to-do and civilized community like Hong Kong. I beg to move. MR. CHEUNG WING-IN: Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion moved by my colleague Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN. Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has posed a challenge to the Government administrative machinery. In view of the tremendous significance that housing has for the people of Hong Kong, I urge the Government to step up the pace of its work, so that the enacting legislation on the White Paper can be introduced at an early date. Two months have gone by since the White Paper was accepted in the Legislative Council. If we are to go forward full speed ahead with our low-cost housing programmes, it is necessary that there should be no delay in the necessary legislation. 381 Page 203 of 312

Baseline (Original)

F Page 201 of 312 378 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL MR. K. A. WATSON:-Mr. Chairman, I rise to second Mr. SALES' motion. MR. BERNACCHI:--As the meeting is going to be a long one, I will limit my reply to saying, and I think I have the general right of reply, that the Vice-Chairman has specifically brought to our attention the fact that one of his duties on the Medical Advisory Board is to advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council. How can our Vice-Chairman advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council if the minutes of the Medical Advisory Board's meetings are not made available to us? Is he proposing to lobby opinions in private or something like that? I submit that the only practical and indeed democratic way of doing it is that the minutes be either laid on the table or circulated to Members, and Members in Standing Committee should take up points with our Vice-Chairman to raise at the next meeting. Then, indeed, he can advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council. As regards the motion for adjourning my motion into Standing Committee, in view of the objection raised, should I say by Officials through the Vice-Chairman, I do not oppose it and will not vote thereon. CHAIRMAN:-The motion that the subject of debate be referred back to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council has been pro- posed by Mr. SALES and seconded by Mr. WATSON. The question was put. The motion, as proposed by Mr. SALES, was carried. (2) MR. H. CHheong-Leen moved the following motion: This Council urges Government to give urgent priority to the enacting of legislation arising out of the recommendations in the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing. He said: Mr. Chairman, housing to-day is the most urgent problem facing the people of Hong Kong. That is why when the Colonial Secretary moved in Legislative Council on September 16th, 1964 that the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing be accepted as a general guide to future policy, much interest was aroused among the local community. Approximately two months have elapsed since the White Paper was accepted in Legislative Council and yet no legislation has been intro- duced in that body to give legal effect to the various recommendations in the White Paper. t HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 379 I have been in telephone communication with my good friend the Commissioner for Resettlement on two occasions in regard to this matter. I advised the Commissioner that I was prepared to withdraw the motion from the agenda of to-day's meeting if there were an assurance forthcoming from Government that the necessary legislation would be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964. As it was not possible for the Commissioner for Resettlement to obtain this assurance from Government, I had no alternative but to leave the motion in to-day's Agenda. I do not think, Mr. Chairman, that there has been any delay on the part of the Resettlement Department, which is in the unhappy dilemma of having to defend the Government's position. Government claims that the drafting of legislation on this White Paper is being given priority. That may be true up to a point. What I am concerned about is whether in the Legal Department this particular subject is right on top of the top drawer of the priority cabinet. Since it has not been possible for Government to give any assurance that legislation to give effect to the White Paper's recom- mendations can be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964, I can only assume that it does not have first and immediate priority. The purpose of this motion therefore, is to urge Government to take steps to enact such legislation as a matter of urgent priority so that this Council can, among other things, set about its responsibilities to improve living conditions for the tens of thousands of people who will become Government tenants in licensed areas and transit centres. Government needs to be reminded that a great deal still has to be done to improve social services, such as providing schools, clinics, welfare centres and public transport, in the areas which will be designated as licensed areas and also to a less degree as transit centres. Residents coming out from dangerous buildings or from excluded premises should not be required to be herded into sites which are barren and bereft of social services. These residents are entitled to all the public health and welfare amenities which are expected of a well-to-do and civilized community like Hong Kong. I beg to move. MR. CHEUNG WING-IN: Mr. Chairman, I rise to second the motion moved by my colleague Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN. Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has posed a challenge to the Government administrative machinery. In view of the tremendous significance that housing has for the people of Hong Kong, I urge the Government to step up the pace of its work, so that the enacting legislation on the White Paper can be introduced at an early date. Two months have gone by since the White Paper was accepted in the Legislative Council. If we are to go forward full speed ahead with our low-cost housing programmes, it is necessary that there should be no delay in the necessary legislation. |

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Page 201 of 312

378

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. K. A. WATSON:-Mr. Chairman, I rise to second Mr. SALES' motion.

MR. BERNACCHI:--As the meeting is going to be a long one, I will limit my reply to saying, and I think I have the general right of reply, that the Vice-Chairman has specifically brought to our attention the fact that one of his duties on the Medical Advisory Board is to advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council. How can our Vice-Chairman advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council if the minutes of the Medical Advisory Board's meetings are not made available to us? Is he proposing to lobby opinions in private or something like that? I submit that the only practical and indeed democratic way of doing it is that the minutes be either laid on the table or circulated to Members, and Members in Standing Committee should take up points with our Vice-Chairman to raise at the next meeting. Then, indeed, he can advise the Medical Advisory Board of the opinions of this Council.

CHAIRMAN:-The motion that the subject of debate be referred back to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council has been pro- posed by Mr. SALES and seconded by Mr. WATSON.

The question was put.

The motion, as proposed by Mr. SALES, was carried.

(2) MR. H. CHheong-Leen moved the following motion:

He said: Mr. Chairman, housing to-day is the most urgent problem facing the people of Hong Kong. That is why when the Colonial Secretary moved in Legislative Council on September 16th, 1964 that the White Paper on Squatter Control, Resettlement and Government Low-Cost Housing be accepted as a general guide to future policy, much interest was aroused among the local community. Approximately two months have elapsed since the White Paper was accepted in Legislative Council and yet no legislation has been intro- duced in that body to give legal effect to the various recommendations in the White Paper.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

379

I have been in telephone communication with my good friend the Commissioner for Resettlement on two occasions in regard to this matter. I advised the Commissioner that I was prepared to withdraw the motion from the agenda of to-day's meeting if there were an assurance forthcoming from Government that the necessary legislation would be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964. As it was not possible for the Commissioner for Resettlement to obtain this assurance from Government, I had no alternative but to leave the motion in to-day's Agenda. I do not think, Mr. Chairman, that there has been any delay on the part of the Resettlement Department, which is in the unhappy dilemma of having to defend the Government's position. Government claims that the drafting of legislation on this White Paper is being given priority. That may be true up to a point. What I am concerned about is whether in the Legal Department this particular subject is right on top of the top drawer of the priority cabinet. Since it has not been possible for Government to give any assurance that legislation to give effect to the White Paper's recom- mendations can be introduced in Legislative Council before the end of 1964, I can only assume that it does not have first and immediate priority.

The purpose of this motion therefore, is to urge Government to take steps to enact such legislation as a matter of urgent priority so that this Council can, among other things, set about its responsibilities to improve living conditions for the tens of thousands of people who will become Government tenants in licensed areas and transit centres. Government needs to be reminded that a great deal still has to be done to improve social services, such as providing schools, clinics, welfare centres and public transport, in the areas which will be designated as licensed areas and also to a less degree as transit centres. Residents coming out from dangerous buildings or from excluded premises should not be required to be herded into sites which are barren and bereft of social services. These residents are entitled to all the public health and welfare amenities which are expected of a well-to-do and civilized community like Hong Kong.

1964 — Page 201

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