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(d) If the campaigns are considered to be worthwhile does not the Chairman agree that all expenses should come out of public revenue?
MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK, CHAIRMAN OF THE "KEEP YOUR DISTRICT CLEAN" CAMPAIGNS, replied as follows:-
The answer to (a) is no.
The Department keeps no records of the money spent by the various Kai Fong Associations in connexion with these campaigns. I am, therefore, unable to give the maximum and minimum amount spent on each occasion, which is asked in part (b) of the question.
Since the commencement of this series of campaigns in March last year, the Urban Services Department, at the request of the Working Committee of the "Keep Your District Clean" Campaigns, has contributed prizes to the sum of $1,238.20. These prizes were awarded to the winners of the various competitions and contests. In addition, a total of 18,000 educational posters and 150,000 handbills were supplied by the Government Information Services to the Kai Fong Associations for public display and distribution to the residents in the eight districts in which a campaign has been held.
In reply to (c), it is difficult to assess the benefit the public derives from these campaigns. It is hoped that the cumulative effects of systematic and regular campaigning may instil in the public a greater sense of hygiene-consciousness, civic-spirit and clean habits.
In reply to (d), I do not consider it appropriate that all the expenses incurred by the activities of the Kai Fong Associations should be paid out of public revenue. However, the Department as already stated does consider any request by the Working Committee for contributions towards prizes and printed matter to be used in connexion with these campaigns.
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary on this question, and that is, in view of the Council's participation in this campaign, does the Chairman agree that audited accounts should be submitted to the Council at the end of each campaign?
MR. RAFEEK:-Mr. Chairman, since the Kaifongs are private and independent organizations, I feel that we have no right to interfere with their expenditure, particularly since our working committee does not keep any records of its expenditure.
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DR. LEE:-It is independent, Mr. Chairman, but that doesn't preclude the Council from asking them to give us an audited account. I believe another select committee of this Council has requested the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to render audited accounts when the Kaifongs make use of public playgrounds for charitable shows and so on.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I would not like to give a definite answer on that point in this Council to-day. This is a matter which deserves study.
MR. SALES:-Sir, may I, as Chairman of that particular Select Committee, confirm that it is a fact that Kaifong Associations are requested, and do submit statements of accounts to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, which are copied to the Select Committee concerned.
CHAIRMAN:-Thank you.
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, I don't see why this process should not be repeated in regard to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-Perhaps I could help here Mr. Chairman. The difference is that in the case of performances for charitable purposes, the Council is, to some extent, shall we say, alienating the use of public playgrounds for use by a private charitable organization. In this case it is a matter of private organizations joining in with the Council on their own terms so to speak, to see how far they will or will not be able to help. They do let me have in confidence all their figures on these "Keep Your City Clean" campaigns, but it is in confidence, and they do feel, as Mr. RAFEEK has just said, that this is their private affair, and they do not have to join in. If they found it too expensive they wouldn't. They are not in any way being granted any special privileges by this Council. It is, I think, on a somewhat different footing, as Mr. SALES agreed, from the position as regards the use of playgrounds.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I have your permission to make a statement?
CHAIRMAN:-Certainly, but can we bear in mind the length of our agenda? (Laughter).
MR. SALES:-Well it is entirely your decision whether you wish me to make a statement in this Council or not.
CHAIRMAN: Please do, Sir.
MR. SALES: I do not accept that statement which you made earlier.
CHAIRMAN:-I think as Chairman I was in error because I made the statement when I was seated. Otherwise I believe the Chairman is entitled to remind members of the length of the agenda.
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(d) If the campaigns are considered to be worth- while does not the Chairman agree that all ex- penses should come out of public revenue?
MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK, CHAIRMAN OF THE "KEEP YOUR DISTRICT CLEAN" CAMPAIGNS, replied as follows:-
The answer to (a) is no.
The Department keeps no records of the money spent by the various Kai Fong Associations in connexion with these campaigns. I am, therefore, un- able to give the maximum and minimum amount spent on each occasion, which is asked in part (b) of the question.
Since the commencement of this series of campaigns in March last year, the Urban Services Department, at the request of the Working Committee of the "Keep Your District Clean" Campaigns, has contributed prizes to the sum of $1,238.20. These prizes were awarded to the winners of the various competitions and contests. In addition, a total of 18,000 educational posters and 150,000 handbills were supplied by the Government Information Services to the Kai Fong Associations for public display and distribution to the residents in the eight districts in which a campaign has been held.
In reply to (c), it is difficult to assess the benefit the public derives from these campaigns. It is hoped that the cumulative effects of systematic and regular campaigning may instil in the public a greater sense of hygiene- consciousness, civic-spirit and clean habits.
In reply to (d), I do not consider it appropriate that all the expenses incurred by the activities of the Kai Fong Associations should be paid out of public revenue. How- ever, the Department as already stated does consider any request by the Working Committee for contributions towards prizes and printed matter to be used in connexion with these campaigns.
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary on this question, and that is, in view of the Council's participation in this campaign, does the Chairman agree that audited accounts should be submitted to the Council at the end of each campaign?
MR. RAFEEK:-Mr. Chairman, since the Kaifongs are private and independent organizations, I feel that we have no right to interfere with their expenditure, particularly since our working committee does not keep any records of its expenditure.
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DR. LEE:-It is independent, Mr. Chairman, but that doesn't pre- clude the Council from asking them to give us an audited account. I believe another select committee of this Council has requested the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to render audited accounts when the Kai- fongs make use of public playgrounds for charitable shows and so on. CHAIRMAN: --Sir, I would not like to give a definite answer on that point in this Council to-day. This is a matter which deserves study.
MR. SALES: -Sir, may I, as Chairman of that particular Select Committee, confirm that it is a fact that Kaifong Associations are requested, and do submit statements of accounts to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, which are copied to the Select Committee concerned.
CHAIRMAN:-Thank you.
DR. LEE:--Mr. Chairman, I don't see why this process should not be repeated in regard to the Environmental Hygiene Select Com- mittee.
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS: --Perhaps I could help here Mr. Chairman. The difference is that in the case of performances for charitable purposes, the Council is, to some extent, shall we say, alien- ating the use of public playgrounds for use by a private charitable organization. In this case it is a matter of private organizations joining in with the Council on their own terms so to speak, to see how far they will or will not be able to help. They do let me have in confidence all their figures on these "Keep Your City Clean" campaigns, but it is in confidence, and they do feel, as Mr. RAFEEK has just said, that this is their private affair, and they do not have to join in. If they found it too expensive they wouldn't. They are not in any way being granted any special privileges by this Council. It is, I think, on a somewhat different footing, as Mr. SALES agreed, from the position as regards the use of playgrounds.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I have your permission to make a statement?
CHAIRMAN:-Certainly, but can we bear in mind the length of our agenda? (Laughter).
MR. SALES: -Well it is entirely your decision whether you wish me to make a statement in this Council or not.
CHAIRMAN: Please do, Sir.
MR. SALES: I do not accept that statement which you made earlier.
CHAIRMAN:-I think as Chairman I was in error because I made the statement when I was seated. Otherwise I believe the Chairman is entitled to remind members of the length of the agenda.
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