Page 336 of 382
650
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES: --Sir, it isn't enough to have it on the agenda. What we would like to see is an effective policy introduced in response to all the complaints that have been made. I myself over the years have received these complaints, not only about the condition of the streets, but the location of these collection points, and I certainly am very happy to know that Dr. LEE is going to look into the matter himself.
MR. Lo:-Mr. Chairman, I just want to ask a supplementary question in connection with these collection points. Is it compulsory- is there any regulation whereby the baskets must be properly covered, baskets containing refuse?
DR. LEE:—I think the byelaws say that baskets containing refuse should be covered.
MR. Lo:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to know whether this byelaw has ever been enforced at all?
CHAIRMAN: —Sir, the byelaws are supposed to be enforced all the time. (Laughter).
MR. Lo-Sir, I would also like to invite you on an inspection tour of the collection points. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:-I will be glad to accept your invitation. May I suggest to members that we have a short recess, if there are no more supplementaries, because the Council then has to resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider two Motions. Members of the press and public will find refreshments in the next room.
THE CHAIRMAN moved:
MOTIONS.
That the Council do resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider under Standing Order 10(1) the motion standing in the name of Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in and the motion standing in the name of Mrs. E. ELLIOTT as Items 4(1) and 4(2) on the order of business.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Council then went into Committee.
Council resumed.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
651
CHAIRMAN: --Council in Committee of the Whole agreed under Standing Order 10(1) to debate the motion standing in the name of Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in and the motion standing in the name of Mrs. E. ELLIOTT.
(1) MR. CHEUNG WING-IN moved the following motion:-
As the principle of an Ombudsman has been traditional in Chinese society and as this principle is gaining acceptance in British Commonwealth countries, the Hong Kong Government is urged to appoint a committee to study and to recommend on the feasibility of a Hong Kong Ombudsman.
He said: -Mr. Chairman, in my speech at the Annual Conventional Debate of this Council last December I urged the introduction of the Ombudsman system. Such a system will not substitute or supersede the work of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils or of the Ward System of the Urban Council. Nor will it usurp the valuable function of the correspondence columns of the press. It will simply complement and render more effective what is being done.
The Umelco and the Ward System of the Urban Council form important bridges between Government and the people of Hong Kong. But these "bridges" are not always effective in obtaining correction of grievances or getting inquiries made into complaints. They have to rely on the departments concerned to inquire into complaints made against themselves.
There are many departments which do heed genuine criticisms and do make serious efforts to deal with complaints from the public. But at the same time there are others which are only too anxious to brush aside grievances and to offer a superficial explanation without any attempt to correct or to investigate. To say the least it is unsatisfactory for any Government department to be both judge and jury in its own cause.
Administrative blunders are made even by the best governments. The Umelco, the Ward System and the press all provide an avenue for grievances to be brought to the notice of responsible heads of Government but there is no assurance that a proper investigation will result.
To remedy administrative blunders and undue delays except for matters within the purview of this Council there is no effective procedure. This has resulted in a strong sense of frustration among the general public which in my opinion is the main reason why corruption in
Page 336
336
Page 336 of 382
P
650
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES: --Sir, it isn't enough to have it on the agenda. What we would like to see is an effective policy introduced in response to all the complaints that have been made. I myself over the years have received these complaints, not only about the condition of the streets, but the location of these collection points, and I certainly am very happy to know that Dr. LEE is going to look into the matter himself.
MR. Lo:-Mr. Chairman, I just want to ask a supplementary question in connection with these collection points. Is it compulsory- is there any regulation whereby the baskets must be properly covered, baskets containing refuse?
DR. LEE:—I think the byelaws say that baskets containing refuse should be covered.
MR. Lo:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to know whether this byelaw has ever been enforced at all?
CHAIRMAN: —Sir, the byelaws are supposed to be enforced all the time. (Laughter).
MR. Lo-Sir, I would also like to invite you on an inspection tour of the collection points. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:-I will be glad to accept your invitation. May I sug- gest to members that we have a short recess, if there are no more supplementaries, because the Council then has to resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider two Motions. Members of the press and public will find refreshments in the next room.
THE CHAIRMAN moved:
MOTIONS.
That the Council do resolve itself into Committee of the Whole to consider under Standing Order 10(1) the motion standing in the name of Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in and the motion standing in the name of Mrs. E. ELLIOTT as Items 4(1) and 4(2) on the order of business.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Council then went into Committee.
Council resumed.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
651
CHAIRMAN: --Council in Committee of the Whole agreed under Standing Order 10(1) to debate the motion standing in the name of Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in and the motion standing in the name of Mrs. E. ELLIOTT.
(1) MR. CHEUNG WING-IN moved the following motion:-
As the principle of an Ombudsman has been traditional in Chinese society and as this principle is gaining acceptance in British Commonwealth countries, the Hong Kong Government is urged to appoint a committee to study and to recommend on the feasibility of a Hong Kong Ombudsman.
He said: -Mr. Chairman, in my speech at the Annual Conventional Debate of this Council last December I urged the introduction of the Ombudsman system. Such a system will not substitute or supersede the work of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils or of the Ward System of the Urban Council. Nor will it usurp the valuable function of the correspondence columns of the press. It will simply complement and render more effective what is being done.
The Umelco and the Ward System of the Urban Council form important bridges between Government and the people of Hong Kong. But these "bridges" are not always effective in obtaining correction of grievances or getting inquiries made into complaints. They have to rely on the departments concerned to inquire into complaints made against themselves.
There are many departments which do heed genuine criticisms and do make serious efforts to deal with complaints from the public. But at the same time there are others which are only too anxious to brush aside grievances and to offer a superficial explanation without any attempt to correct or to investigate. To say the least it is unsatisfactory for any Government department to be both judge and jury in its own
cause.
Administrative blunders are made even by the best governments. The Umelco, the Ward System and the press all provide an avenue for grievances to be brought to the notice of responsible heads of Govern- ment but there is no assurance that a proper investigation will result.
To remedy administrative blunders and undue delays except for matters within the purview of this Council there is no effective procedure. This has resulted in a strong sense of frustration among the general public which in my opinion is the main reason why corruption in
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.