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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.Before we start the business of the meeting, I would like to extend, on behalf of Members of the Council, a warm welcome to Mr. Alastair TODD, Mr. Kenneth Lo and Mr. Peter NG who are taking their seats for the first time to-day. As Members will be aware, Mr. TODD has taken over as Director of Social Welfare and Mr. Kenneth Lo replaces his namesake, Mr. K. S. Lo, and Mr. Peter NG has been appointed to replace the Honourable FUNG Hon-chu.
I would also like to congratulate Mr. SALES, Mr. Wilson WANG, Mr. LOBO and Mr. FORSGATE on their reappointment to the Council. (Applause).
MR. SALES: Sir, on behalf of all unofficial members, I would like to be associated with the welcome which you have expressed to Mr. TODD upon his appointment to this Council. His splendid record of service in other Government capacities assures this Council that he will play his part to the full to advance the cause of the people of Hong Kong, and for the progress of the welfare organizations under his guidance.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE: Thank you very much.
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, Sir, on behalf of the unofficials I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Mr. Lo and Mr. NG on their appointment to this Council. Mr. Lo and Mr. NG are both known to me and have both been known to me for many years now, and I would like to congratulate—if I may be so bold—His Excellency the Governor on appointing these two men to this Council, and I am sure that this Council will be well served by them, and the unofficials will find them playing their part to the utmost in the work of this Council. (Applause).
MINUTES.The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8th March, 1966 were confirmed.
PAPERS.THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of March 1966. (2) Statement of Progress for 1965-66.
MR. SALES: Sir, your report covers the car parks managed by this Council. Because of the public interest which has been stirred by the proposed increase in charges, I think that, as Chairman of the former
3
Urban Amenities Select Committee, I should clarify our position on the matter of car parks.
First, this Council agreed to raise monthly charges on the understanding that it would be done in two stages.
Secondly, the Committee was told a few years ago that Government would provide two such public car parks each year until the need was met.
Thirdly, the Council asked Government for the Committee to be given full responsibility for car parks so as to have a say on all relevant aspects; for example, location and capacity, instead of just being given their management after completion.
Fourthly, the Committee said that there could be no justification for Government to provide free car parking for civil servants when the public was called upon to pay for such facilities. Accordingly, the Committee asked Government to put the matter right without procrastination so as to remove a cause of widespread public dissatisfaction, over this glaring example of discrimination at public expense.
MR. BERNACCHI: Sir, in view of Mr. SALES' words, I would move a motion that this matter be referred to the Council in Committee.
DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, I beg to second Mr. BERNACCHI's motion.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. BERNACCHI, is it your intention that we should go into Committee now?
MR. BERNACCHI: No, Sir, indeed I would like to say that, but it is not out of order to propose that matter. Standing Order 7 deals with "Following motions may be moved without notice". Standing Order 7(c) states "Reference of any matter before the Council to a Committee”. So that means—I am sorry, Mr. Chairman—the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. I would amend my proposal to refer it not to the Committee of the Whole Council, but the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
CHAIRMAN: Will members now vote please on Mr. BERNACCHI's motion, to have the matter referred to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
Motion carried.
QUESTIONS.(1) MR. R. H. LOBO asked the following question:
(a) Is the Chairman aware that at least three illegal foodstalls, on a comparatively large scale, have been for some time operating on Crown Land at the junction of South Bay
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
Before we start the business of the meeting, I would like to extend, on behalf of Members of the Council, a warm welcome to Mr. Alastair TODD, Mr. Kenneth Lo and Mr. Peter NG who are taking their seats for the first time to-day. As Members will be aware, Mr. TODD has taken over as Director of Social Welfare and Mr. Kenneth Lo replaces his namesake, Mr. K. S. Lo, and Mr. Peter NG has been appointed to replace the Honourable FUNG Hon-chu.
I would also like to congratulate Mr. SALES, Mr. Wilson WANG, Mr. LOBO and Mr. FORSGATE on their reappointment to the Council. (Applause).
MR. SALES: Sir, on behalf of all unofficial members, I would like to be associated with the welcome which you have expressed to Mr. TODD upon his appointment to this Council. His splendid record of service in other Government capacities assures this Council that he will play his part to the full to advance the cause of the people of Hong Kong, and for the progress of the welfare organizations under his guidance.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE:-Thank you very much.
MR. BERNACCHI :- Mr. Chairman, Sir, on behalf of the unofficials I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Mr. Lo and Mr. NG on their appointment to this Council. Mr. Lo and Mr. No are both known to me and have both been known to me for many years now, and I would like to congratulate—if I may be so bold-His Excellency the Governor on appointing these two men to this Council, and I am sure that this Council will be well served by them, and the unofficials will find them playing their part to the utmost in the work of this Council. (Applause).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8th March, 1966 were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of March 1966. (2) Statement of Progress for 1965-66.
MR. SALES: Sir, your report covers the car parks managed by this Council. Because of the public interest which has been stirred by the proposed increase in charges, I think that, as Chairman of the former
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
3
Urban Amenities Select Committee, I should clarify our position on the matter of car parks.
First, this Council agreed to raise monthly charges on the under- standing that it would be done in two stages.
Secondly, the Committee was told a few years ago that Government would provide two such public car parks each year until the need was
met.
Thirdly, the Council asked Government for the Committee to be given full responsibility for car parks so as to have a say on all relevant aspects; for example, location and capacity, instead of just being given their management after completion.
Fourthly, the Committee said that there could be no justification for Government to provide free car parking for civil servants when the public was called upon to pay for such facilities. Accordingly, the Committee asked Government to put the matter right without procras- tination so as to remove a cause of widespread public dissatisfaction, over this glaring example of discrimination at public expense.
MR. BERNACCHI-Sir, in view of Mr. SALES' words, I would move a motion that this matter be referred to the Council in Committee.
DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, I beg to second Mr. BERNACCHI's motion. CHAIRMAN:-Mr. BERNACCHI, is it your intention that we should go into Committee now?
MR. BERNACCHI:-No, Sir, indeed I would like to say that, but it is not out of order to propose that matter. Standing Order 7 deals with "Following motions may be moved without notice". Standing Order 7(c) states "Reference of any matter before the Council to a Committee”. So that means-I am sorry, Mr. Chairman--the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. I would amend my proposal to refer it not to the Committee of the Whole Council, but the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
CHAIRMAN:-Will members now vote please on Mr. BERNACCHI'S motion, to have the matter referred to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council.
Motion carried.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. R. H. LOBO asked the following question:
(a) Is the Chairman aware that at least three illegal foodstalls, on a comparatively large scale, have been for some time operating on Crown Land at the junction of South Bay
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.