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Member in whose name the next question stands upon the notice paper, to put his question, and has for the same reason asked Members not to ask supplementary questions . . . .'

Ladies and Gentlemen, whatever my able friend Mr. BERNACCHI may say in his concluding speech I tell you clearly that you may pro- perly, and should, vote against this motion.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, Sir, all members of this Council are conscious of the need to maintain the rights and privileges of the Council in matters which are within its purview. All members too, Sir, are conscious of the fact that certain conventions have grown up over the years which must also be observed. We believe that the matter of questions being turned down has arisen before, and the Standing Orders and Procedures Select Committee has in the past been asked to consider the limit beyond which these questions cannot be accepted, as that Select Committee has been asked in the past to consider the desirability of limiting the number of questions and the number of supplementary questions as well.

We are engaged to-day in debating the question of interpretation of Standing Orders. There must necessarily be a difference of opinion between an Official Chairman and Unofficial Members, as there must also be a difference of opinion among Unofficial Members. It is in the hope of being able to reconcile the difference of opinion so that this Council may continue to serve the interests of the public with dignity and effectively, that I would like to suggest that this whole matter be thoroughly reviewed. It can only be reviewed properly in Select Com- mittee, and not in an open meeting where we must be bound by Standing Orders. In a Select Committee we can discuss this matter freely and at random.

Sir, I am just as conscious of the need as any other Member of this Council must be, to uphold the right of the Chair to conduct the meet- ing in such a manner as to maintain the position of the Urban Council, and to protect the interests of all Members. At the same time I realize that Unofficial Members, be they elected or appointed, have a duty towards the public to pursue questions of the day which exercise the attention of the public. So, Sir, the matter that is before this Council to-day cannot be readily disposed by the vote. Without in any way assuming whether this motion is acceptable or not, I suggest in the circumstances that it be referred to the Standing Orders and Procedures Select Committee where it should belong, and I would move accordingly.

DR. BELL:--Mr. Chairman, I would second Mr. SALES' amendment to the motion.

CHAIRMAN:-Under Standing Order 10(17)(j)?

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MR. SALES: Yes. (Laughter).

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DR. BELL:--I agree with what Mr. SALES has said. There is a great deal of merit in having this discussed in Select Committee. There are points to be said in favour of what Mr. BERNACCHI has pointed out, and in favour of what you yourself have pointed out Mr. Chairman, particular reference must be made to the Select Committee on Standing Orders regarding your points about parliamentary procedure in England. I find that our Standing Orders apparently are rightly different from what you have read out from this quotation, and I think it ought to be discussed very thoroughly by the Standing Orders Select Committee so that we may feel free in some way to ask questions which concern members of the public very vitally questions which arise out of cir- cumstances immediately present or just immediately past. If these questions were to be discussed at the annual debate months and months after they were significant, I think much of the use of the answers received would have gone.

Similarly, if these questions were asked in interviews with the press, or in press releases, there would be little effect from the official answers received, and therefore I would agree with Mr. SALES' suggestion that this be referred to the Select Committee on Standing Orders.

CHAIRMAN:-I am precluded from speaking. I rise on a point of clarification. The composition of the Standing Orders and Procedures Select Committee is Mr. H. CHEONG-LEEN, Mr. Sales, Mr. Wilson WANG, Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in and Mr. Henry Hu.

MR. SALES: Sir, on a point of further clarification, you as Chair- man of the Urban Services are an ex officio member of all Select Committees, and you would certainly be invited to attend that meeting, as would presumably Mr. BERNACCHI when the matter is discussed.

MR. HU:-I just want to make this point, Mr. Chairman. I think Mr. BERNACCHI should be invited to the meeting of the Standing Orders and Procedures Select Committee when this subject is discussed.

MR. SALES: May I also add, Sir, that you, as a Member of the Urban Council, can always exercise your right to refer any matter dealt with in Select Committee to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council; so if you feel aggrieved at the composition of the Select Com- mittee there is always that recourse to be pursued.

DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, on a point of clarification, my next door neighbour is not clear that I was seconding the motion moved by Mr. SALES. May I repeat that I second Mr. SALES' motion?

CHAIRMAN:-Thank you Dr. BELL. Does any other member wish to speak on Mr. SALES' motion?