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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

justified questioning of his original function of advising and policy- making.

For these reasons, the sooner a decision is taken to set up the office of a Commissioner for Administration, the better. I support the proposal to refer the matter to the Committee for consideration. (Applause).

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN:-Recently, in discharging my duties as a Ward Councillor, I came across a case which concerns a civil servant being dismissed under Establishment Regulation 305 after 12 years service by being given one month notice.

How

While department heads are normally fair to their staff generally, this case makes me feel that I should have some reservation. carefully should the department head examine a case of dismissal need to be checked, but who is to do the checking? In a case like this, the Department head is sometimes the prosecutor, judge, jury as well as the executioner.

I did refer the case to the Establishment Branch of the Colonial Secretariat in the absence of an Ombudsman or Commissioner for Administration. The result is, in my opinion, most unsatisfactory as the Establishment Branch just take the department head's word for it.

Upon the conclusion of this meeting, if this Motion is passed, I will submit all the papers regarding this case to the Local Administra- tion Committee if they want it to show that only an Ombudsman or a Commissioner for Administration can bring justice to cases like the one I have just referred.

With this case and many other reasons, I fully support the Motion before this Council. (Applause).

Mrs. Elliott:—Mr. Chairman, as a result of experience gained from the many cases which come to the Ward, some requiring investigation that are never made because there is no machinery for investigation, except in this Department itself, it is my intention to support the Motion that the matter of Ombudsman be referred to the Local Administration Select Committee for report, and I too can give plenty of information.

CHAIRMAN:-I will now take a vote on the Motion.

The question was put.

The Motion was carried with 14 votes for and 7 abstentions.

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397

(3) DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT Committee, moved the following Motion:-

Citation.

That under By-law 4 of the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) By-laws, Cap. 132, the Urban Council makes the following order: -

Amendment of paragraph 2. (Cap. 132, sub. leg.)

1. This order may be cited as the Public Con- veniences (Charges) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1969.

2. The principal order is amended in paragraph 2 by adding, after item (12), the following new item—

"(13) Public latrine at Repulse Bay".

He said: Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, I rise to move the Motion standing in my

name.

The purpose of this Motion is to comply with the provisions of By-law 4(1) of the Public Conveniences (Conduct and Behaviour) By-laws which require that ten cents should be charged for the use of any coin-operated compartment provided in public latrines managed by the Council.

I beg to move.

MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE: I have the pleasure, and exciting job of seconding this Motion. (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN: -I will now take a vote on the Motion.

The question was put.

The Motion was carried unanimously.

CHAIRMAN: -Before we conclude, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

ADJOURNMENT · -5.19 P.M.

CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until the 6th January, 1970 at 4.00 p.m.

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