Page 277 of 382
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In conclusion, Sir, I would like to speak in general terms on two major and inter-related matters, each of which was touched on in one way or another by most of my unofficial colleagues two weeks ago. These are the control of the physical environment and health education. As I said earlier, this is the century of scientific and technological advancement; many of these advances have presented stresses or hazards, either actual or potential, to the health and safety of the individual, and his well-being is increasingly dependent on the actions of persons around him. Legislation to guard against such hazards can only be a minimal enforceable code of behaviour, whether it be concerned with spitting, personal safety, food handling or any other of the diverse matters which have been raised in this debate. Full protection can only be attained if each individual understands that lack of reasonable care or unthoughtful action on his part may, in one way or another, endanger himself, his family, or his neighbours. In Hong Kong, as Mr. LOBO said, such principles are not yet appreciated on a deep and widespread basis and I particularly welcome the statement of aims in the sphere of health education. The Health Education Select Committee of the Urban Council works in close liaison with a number of Government departments towards the promotion of such civic sense, particularly amongst the future citizens of Hong Kong. Mr. MARDEN set a poetical precedent and I would like to conclude in the same fashion:
Of leaflet, sticker, poster
Contest and campaign
Dr. Woo's Committee does
A steady stream maintain
To educate the public
In many varying ploys
For ways of healthy living
From lap sap through to noise.
(Laughter).
Mr. Chairman, I have pleasure in supporting the motion before Council. (Applause).
MR. SALES: Sir, on a point of order. The Unofficials would like to reply in kind:
There once was a vice-chairman called Wylie,
Who started off pretty mild,
Till in this Council he sat awhile,
When he became truly wild.
(Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: Ladies and Gentlemen, I must start by apologizing to Mr. SALES for being in this chair to-day. (Laughter). "To be or not to be... he said and threw me, like Hamlet, into a flurry of doubt and irresolution, so that I stand here feeling unwanted and akin to an imposter. (Laughter). Nonetheless, I have decided, after much soul-searching, not to comply yet with his exhortation to abdicate. I have been warned by one Member of the Council that if all the points which he made in his speech are not covered to his satisfaction in the replies, he will have some sharp criticism to offer. Yet I must be as brief as possible, and if my references to some matters seem inadequate, part of the blame must lie on the lack of opportunity to be more explicit. Even so, I regret that I have to seek the indulgence of Members to exceed the twenty minutes allowed under Standing Orders for this final speech from the official side.
I must, as on previous occasions, refer to item No. 49 in the Statement of Aims for 1966, which reads: "To press more vigorously for the enlargement of the Council's scope and its representation on various other public bodies," and repeat that, together with the other Official Members, I have to reserve my position on this particular aim, although the motion before the Council has my support.
Again, as regards constitutional matters, matters concerning other departments, and suggestions for reorganization of the Urban Services Department or changes in the Council, which were raised by various Unofficial Members, these have been referred to the Colonial Secretary or are receiving consideration in the Urban Services Department. I am sure that the views expressed on these topics, which are outside the scope of the Council's jurisdiction, will receive the careful consideration due to opinions emanating from a responsible and active public body such as this. The magnitude of many of these issues does not permit of ready answers.
Mr. LOBO made the remark that in this Council "much time appears to be wasted in needless and seemingly long-winded talk, when what is needed is more action and less words." He suggested that I could have shortened debates on occasion by stricter control. He may be right as far as questions are concerned, although perhaps he simply does not appreciate the degree of resolution required to terminate the utterances of some of our Members (Laughter) but I am not in accord with him regarding debates. All Members have the right to speak for 20 minutes on any motion and if a member exercises his right to speak, there is nothing that I would wish to do about it. I cannot limit the number of speakers on a motion and in fact, few members ever speak for as much as 20 minutes. On the subject of limiting questions and in particular supplementary questions, this was discussed not long ago in the Standing Orders and Procedure Select Committee and it was decided
Page 278 of 382
382
532
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In conclusion, Sir, I would like to speak in general terms on two major and inter-related matters, each of which was touched on in one way or another by most of my unofficial colleagues two weeks ago. These are the control of the physical environment and health education. As I said earlier, this is the century of scientific and technological advancement; many of these advances have presented stresses or hazards, either actual or potential, to the health and safety of the individual, and his well-being is increasingly dependent on the actions of persons around him. Legislation to guard against such hazards can only be a minimal enforceable code of behaviour, whether it be con- cerned with spitting, personal safety, food handling or any other of the diverse matters which have been raised in this debate. Full protection can only be attained if each individual understands that lack of reason- able care or unthoughtful action on his part may, in one way or another, endanger himself, his family, or his neighbours. In Hong Kong, as Mr. LOBO said, such principles are not yet appreciated on a deep and widespread basis and I particularly welcome the statement of aims in the sphere of health education. The Health Education Select Commit- tee of the Urban Council works in close liaison with a number of Government departments towards the promotion of such civic sense, particularly amongst the future citizens of Hong Kong. Mr. MARDEN set a poetical precedent and I would like to conclude in the same fashion:
Of leaflet, sticker, poster Contest and campaign
Dr. Woo's Committee does A steady stream maintain
To educate the public
In many varying ploys
For ways of healthy living
From lap sap through to noise.
(Laughter).
Mr. Chairman, I have pleasure in supporting the motion before Council. (Applause).
MR. SALES: Sir, on a point of order. The Unofficials would like to reply in kind: -
There once was a vice-chairman called Wyile,
Who started off pretty mild,
Till in this Council he sat awhile,
When he became truly wild.
(Laughter).
39
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 277 of 382
533
CHAIRMAN:-Ladies and Gentlemen, I must start by apologizing to Mr. SALES for being in this chair to-day. (Laughter). “To be or not to be.. he said and threw me, like Hamlet, into a flurry of doubt and irresolution, so that I stand here feeling unwanted and akin to an imposter. (Laughter). Nonetheless, I have decided, after much soul- searching, not to comply yet with his exhortation to abdicate. I have been warned by one Member of the Council that if all the points which he made in his speech are not covered to his satisfaction in the replies Yet I must be as to-day, he will have some sharp criticism to offer. brief as possible, and if my references to some matters seem inadequate, part of the blame must lie on the lack of opportunity to be more explicit. Even so, I regret that I have to seek the indulgence of Mem- bers to exceed the twenty minutes allowed under Standing Orders for this final speech from the official side.
I must, as on previous occasions, refer to item No. 49 in the State- ment of Aims for 1966, which reads. "To press more vigorously for the enlargement of the Council's scope and its representation on various other public bodies," and repeat that, together with the other Official Members, I have to reserve my position on this particular aim, although the motion before the Council has my support.
Again, as regards constitutional matters, matters concerning other departments, and suggestions for reorganization of the Urban Services Department or changes in the Council, which were raised by various Unofficial Members, these have been referred to the Colonial Secretary or are receiving consideration in the Urban Services Department. I am sure that the views expressed on these topics which are outside the scope of the Council's jurisdiction will receive the careful consideration due to opinions emanating from a responsible and active public body such as this. The magnitude of many of these issues does not permit of ready answers.
Mr. LOBO made the remark that in this Council "much time appears to be wasted in needless and seemingly long-winded talk, when what is needed is more action and less words." He suggested that I could have shortened debates on occasion by stricter control. He may be right as far as questions are concerned, although perhaps he simply does not appreciate the degree of resolution required to terminate the utterances of some of our Members (Laughter) but I am not in accord with him regarding debates. All Members have the right to speak for 20 minutes on any motion and if a member exercises his right to speak there is nothing that I would wish to do about it. I cannot limit the number of speakers on a motion and in fact few members ever speak for as much as 20 minutes. On the subject of limiting questions and in partic- ular supplementary questions, this was discussed not long ago in the Standing Orders and Procedure Select Committee and it was decided
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