Page 204 of 243
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Illegal Immigrants
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I also wish to say something beyond the Urban Council franchise. It is not exactly beyond because these cases came to my attention when I worked in my ward office in Mong Kok. A number of cases recently came up asking for assistance to obtain identity cards. Many of these cases produced satisfactory evidence to me that they had resided in Hong Kong for over three or four years. Some of them got married and raised a family during the period. Naturally they are illegal immigrants under the current legislation and it is very interesting to hear their individual stories and problems.
Before I was appointed a member of this Council, I happened to make some remarks for the establishment of some kind of parliamentary commissioner in Hong Kong—what people usually called "an ombudsman". An Urban Councillor in his ward office may probably perform some functions of an ombudsman and because of his association with government officials, he may probably work out something for the members of the public or bring to the knowledge of the officials concerned certain grievances which may subsequently be redressed and corrected. In many cases, grievances are not grievances at all and the complaints can be removed satisfactorily by understanding and explanations. Therefore, I always say that ward office work has been very stimulating indeed and I am glad to have the opportunity to solve many problems of members of the public that did not come within the Urban Council franchise during the past few months. In a particular example, the result was that the district court dismissed a case against a client. I am sure that my senior colleagues must have done much better. With this in view therefore, I would like to see that this kind of service may be made better known to the less fortunate members of the community so that they may understand Government more through the members of this Council.
Regarding these immigrants staying in the Colony for a number of years, I like to see that the Government may announce some kind of policy in dealing with them. They, being illegal immigrants, may find themselves subject to extortion, may find themselves compelled to do something against the law and against their will, especially members of the fair sex.
The Director of Immigration once said: "to many people, Hong Kong appears a most attractive and desirable place to live. To these people, this place looks like the promised land—and they will spare no effort, expense, or risk to make that dream come true." So let us make Hong Kong such a promised land.
When the policy is made known to the public, they know what will happen to them and they may offer to come out in the open to face the law. If they are aware of such policy, they may be willing to face reality rather than to hide a life full of fear, bitterness, unrest and even panic. While we have tolerated illegal gambling and illegal means of transport, for humanity reasons alone, I would like to see that my suggestion may reach our government.
With these remarks, I beg to support the Motion before this Council. (Applause).
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG:--Mr. Chairman, since I took office in July last year as an elected member of this Council I have had many criticisms from electors that as their representative on this Council I asked only questions on such harmless topics as street sweeping and the ten cent deposit fee in our libraries, but never touched upon vital issues such as medical services, education, etc. While this shows their insufficient understanding of the set-up and scope of this Council, it nevertheless illustrates the great hopes they attach to their elected members voicing their opinions. I wish to take this opportunity to appeal to the public as a whole to join forces with all elected members, and perhaps appointed members as well, to press Government to make several seats on the Legislative and Executive Councils open to direct election. Elected members would undoubtedly serve a useful function as a bridge between Government and the people and their presence there would take Hong Kong a step further along the road to a truly democratic society.
I wish now to take the advantage of this Annual Debate to comment on a few subjects which are normally "untouchable" on this Council:
I. Medical Services
In February this year His Excellency the Governor said in his Budget address that "The continuing shortage of medical and health officers and officers to staff ancillary medical services remains a grave and difficult problem". Mr. Chairman, it has always been my view that our medical services can hardly be expected to improve as long as they are badly under-staffed. The situation has further deteriorated since last year's disturbances as a fair number of practitioners have left the Colony for good. In spite of the admirable efforts made by our Director of Medical and Health Services to recruit doctors from Singapore the response has been very disappointing and at any rate this is hardly the proper way to solve the problem.
A few weeks ago I was asked how many doctors we needed to provide a reasonably satisfactory medical service and how long under present circumstances it would take to make up the deficiency. I replied that should we aim at the modest standard of provision of one
321
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 204 of 243
Page 204 of 243
320
Illegal Immigrants
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I also wish to say something beyond the Urban Council franchise. It is not exactly beyond because these cases came to my attention when I worked in my ward office in Mong Kok. A number of cases recently came up asking for assistance to obtain identity cards. Many of these cases produced satisfactory evidence to me that they had resided in Hong Kong for over three or four years. Some of them got married and raised a family during the period. Naturally they are illegal immigrants under the current legislation and it is very interesting to hear their individual stories and problems.
Before I was appointed a member of this Council, I happened to make some remarks for the establishment of some kind of parliamentary commissioner in Hong Kong-what people usually called "an ombuds- man". An Urban Councillor in his ward office may probably perform some functions of an ombudsman and because of his association with government officials, he may probably work out something for the members of the public or bring to the knowledge of the officials con- cerned certain grievances which may subsequently be redressed and corrected. In many cases, grievances are not grievances at all and the complaints can be removed satisfactorily by understanding and explana- tions. Therefore, I always say that ward office work has been very stimulating indeed and I am glad to have the opportunity to solve many problems of members of the public that did not come within the Urban Council franchise during the past few months. In a particular example, the result was that the district court dismissed a case against a client. I am sure that my senior colleagues must have done much better. With this in view therefore, I would like to see that this kind of service may be made better known to the less fortunate members of the community so that they may understand Government more through the members of this Council.
Regarding these immigrants staying in the Colony for a number of years, I like to see that the Government may announce some kind of policy in dealing with them. They, being illegal immigrants, may find themselves subject to extortion, may find themselves compelled to do something against the law and against their will, especially members of the fair sex.
The Director of Immigration once said: "to many people, Hong Kong appears a most attractive and desirable place to live. To these people, this place looks like the promised land-and they will spare no effort, expense, or risk to make that dream come true." So let us make Hong Kong such promised land.
When the policy is made known to the public, they know what will happen to them and they may offer to come out in the open to face
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
321
the law. If they are aware of such policy, they may be willing to face reality rather than to hide a life full of fear, bitterness, unrest and even panic. While we have tolerated illegal gambling and illegal means of transport, for humanity reasons alone, I would like to see that my suggestion may reach our government.
With these remarks, I beg to support the Motion before this Council. (Applause).
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG:--Mr. Chairman, since I took office in July last year as an elected member of this Council I have had many criticisms from electors that as their representative on this Council I asked only questions on such harmless topics as street sweeping and the ten cent deposit fee in our libraries, but never touched upon vital issues such as medical services, education, etc. While this shows their insufficient understanding of the set-up and scope of this Council, it nevertheless illustrates the great hopes they attach to their elected members voicing their opinions. I wish to take this opportunity to appeal to the public as a whole to join forces with all elected members, and perhaps appointed members as well, to press Government to make several seats on the Legislative and Executive Councils open to direct election. Elected members would undoubtedly serve a useful function as a bridge between Government and the people and their presence there would take Hong Kong a step further along the road to a truly democratic society.
I wish now to take the advantage of this Annual Debate to com- ment on a few subjects which are normally "untouchable" on this Council:
I. Medical Services
In February this year His Excellency the Governor said in his Budget address that "The continuing shortage of medical and health officers and officers to staff ancillary medical services remains a grave and difficult problem". Mr. Chairman, it has always been my view that our medical services can hardly be expected to improve as long as they are badly under-staffed. The situation has further deteriorated since last year's disturbances as a fair number of practitioners have left the Colony for good. In spite of the admirable efforts made by our Director of Medical and Health Services to recruit doctors from Singapore the response has been very disappointing and at any rate this is hardly the proper way to solve the problem.
A few weeks ago I was asked how many doctors we needed to provide a reasonably satisfactory medical service and how long under present circumstances it would take to make up the deficiency. I replied that should we aim at the modest standard of provision of one
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