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Association, is not obtainable locally. These vacancies are also being advertised in the "Library Journal". Inter-views will be conducted and recommendations forwarded by the Ministry of Overseas Development. The Ministry has been advised of the urgency in having appointments made as soon as possible.
The two vacancies for Assistant Librarian, Class II were advertised in the local press on 13th, 14th and 15th December, 1964. Interviews have been held and recom-mendations for appointments are now being processed urgently. Appointments will be offered to the selected candidates as soon as approval has been obtained. In accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Library Services, the non-professional library staff, hitherto consisting of members of the General Clerical Service, have been converted into Library Clerks, Classes I, II and III, with a total establishment of 19. The converted posts were advertised in the local press on 3rd, 4th and 5th January, 1965. Interviews are taking place and selected candidates will replace the serving officers from the General Clerical Service.
The Conditions of Service for the posts of Assistant Librarians and Library Clerks had to be revised in the light of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Library Services. Before serving officers could be regraded or vacant posts advertised, the advice of the Public Services Commission had to be sought concerning qualifications and conditions of service for all grades. No advertisement could normally issue until serving officers were regraded, but as the number of vacancies in each grade was known, advertisements issued at once.
DR. LEE:-In view of the fact that these posts were known to be vacant for many months, I wonder whether the Chairman would like to enlighten us on the long delay in obtaining the approval of the Public Services Commission?
CHAIRMAN:Sir, I can only say that discussions took place, as I think you are aware, with the Establishment Branch of the Colonial Secretariat during 1964 and occupied some months, but I have really nothing else to add to the reply already given.
DR. LEE: Is the Chairman aware that the usage of the Library by the public has declined in view of the lack of senior staff in the Library?
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CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I was not aware that there has been any decline in the actual usage of the Library attributable to the shortage of staff, apart from the fact that the hours have been curtailed, but I know that work on the preparation of the books has been sadly hampered. I am glad to say that I heard to-day that the candidate for Library Adviser has accepted the appointment.
DR. LEE:-According to the periodic reports submitted to me, I know there is a decline in the usage of the Library and that the decline is due to the lack of senior Library staff. In view of that I would like to press, Mr. Chairman, to know more about this bureaucratic delay in engaging senior staff.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, can you give this Council an assur-ance that this is the only instance where such bureaucratic delay, as Dr. LEE has mentioned, has hampered the work of the Council?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I would require notice of that question.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I refer you to the long-standing request which this Council has made for the reorganization of the Amenities Section. The work of the Council is completely at a standstill because of the tremendous delay occasioned by the Establishment Branch of Government.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I must speak up in defence of the Establishment Branch. I am certain that reorganization of the Amenities Branch of the Department has not yet been referred in such a way to the Estab-lishment Branch as to enable them to reach any decision upon it. I think the matter is still being worked out in the Urban Services Department.
MR. SALES:-Then, Sir, you are revealing to us in public that the procrastination is on the part of your own Department?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, procrastination might be one term, if you could rightly apply it. The matter is being investigated, although rather slowly, I must confess. It is hoped, as you know, to obtain a Principal Amenities Officer in the not distant future, and it was thought that perhaps his views on this matter of reorganization should also be sought. I would add that I do not think that the Amenities Division of the Department has been slothful in executing its duties.
MR. SALES: That, Sir, of course, is a matter of opinion.
(6) MRS. ELLEN LI SHU-PUI asked the following question:-
I should be interested to learn whether the Director of Public Works, when granting permits for various developments, gives due consideration to the deleterious effect such works
Page 278 of 312
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...
Page 278 of 312
Page 278 of 312
530
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Association, is not obtainable locally. These vacancies are also being advertised in the "Library Journal". Inter- views will be conducted and recommendations forwarded by the Ministry of Overseas Development. The Ministry has been advised of the urgency in having appointments made as soon as possible.
The two vacancies for Assistant Librarian, Class II were advertised in the local press on 13th, 14th and 15th December, 1964. Interviews have been held and recom- mendations for appointments are now being processed urgently. Appointments will be offered to the selected candidates as soon as approval has been obtained. In accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Library Services, the non-professional library staff, hitherto consisting of members of the General Clerical Service, have been converted into Library Clerks, Classes I, II and III, with a total establishment of 19. The converted posts were advertised in the local press on 3rd, 4th and 5th January, 1965. Interviews are taking place and selected candidates will replace the serving officers from the General Clerical Service.
The Conditions of Service for the posts of Assistant Librarians and Library Clerks had to be revised in the light of the Report of the Advisory Committee on Library Services. Before serving officers could be regraded or vacant posts advertised, the advice of the Public Services Commission had to be sought concerning qualifications and conditions of service for all grades. No advertisement could normally issue until serving officers were regraded, but as the number of vacancies in each grade was known, advertisements issued at once.
DR. LEE:-In view of the fact that these posts were known to be vacant for many months, I wonder whether the Chairman would like to enlighten us on the long delay in obtaining the approval of the Public Services Commission?
CHAIRMAN:Sir, I can only say that discussions took place, as I think you are aware, with the Establishment Branch of the Colonial Secretariat during 1964 and occupied some months, but I have really nothing else to add to the reply already given.
DR. LEE: Is the Chairman aware that the usage of the Library by the public has declined in view of the lack of senior staff in the Library?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
531
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I was not aware that there has been any decline
in the actual usage of the Library attributable to the shortage of staff, apart from the fact that the hours have been curtailed, but I know that work on the preparation of the books has been sadly hampered. I am glad to say that I heard to-day that the candidate for Library Adviser has accepted the appointment.
DR. LEE:-According to the periodic reports submitted to me, I know there is a decline in the usage of the Library and that the decline is due to the lack of senior Library staff. In view of that I would like to press, Mr. Chairman, to know more about this bureaucratic delay in engaging senior staff.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, can you give this Council an assur- ance that this is the only instance where such bureaucratic delay, as Dr. LEE has mentioned, has hampered the work of the Council?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I would require notice of that question.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I refer you to the long-standing request which this Council has made for the reorganization of the Amenities Section. The work of the Council is completely at a standstill because of the tremendous delay occasioned by the Establishment Branch of Government.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I must speak up in defence of the Establishment Branch. I am certain that reorganization of the Amenities Branch of the Department has not yet been referred in such a way to the Estab- lishment Branch as to enable them to reach any decision upon it. I think the matter is still being worked out in the Urban Services Department.
MR. SALES:-Then, Sir, you are revealing to us in public that the procrastination is on the part of your own Department?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, procrastination might be one term, if you could rightly apply it. The matter is being investigated, although rather slowly, I must confess. It is hoped, as you know, to obtain a Principal Amenities Officer in the not distant future, and it was thought that perhaps his views on this matter of reorganization should also be sought. I would add that I do not think that the Amenities Division of the Department has been slothful in executing its duties.
MR. SALES: That, Sir, of course, is a matter of opinion.
(6) MRS. ELLEN LI SHU-PUI asked the following question:-
I should be interested to learn whether the Director of Public Works, when granting permits for various developments, gives due consideration to the deleterious effect such works
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