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(2) However, Hong Kong is now at a time of economic recession. The projects scheduled for completion were planned when we were enjoying prosperity and, of course, the present gloomy situation was not anticipated. One may ask what economic recession has to do with the Council? Though Hong Kong is now in the doldrums of economic depression, still, we must not lose hope of its revival. Besides, the Council is financially sound enough to pay for a number of its projects. If so, the linking up of economic depression with the Council projects will be something entirely irrelevant. Yet, I cannot agree with such an idea. The problem is not whether we can afford to carry out the projects but whether the public would in the face of adversity consider the com- pletion of the projects as a pressing need when compared against the need for us to deal with economic recession? Won't it be of second importance to have our present projects completed? Should we not replace them with those which are not only capable of preventing economic recession but also stimulating its revival? Shouldn't the completion of such projects be treated as a matter of urgency? These are things for the public to decide, and the Council will act on their decision. This is because the original building plans were drawn up entirely for public welfare and public needs. On the other hand, how to and whether it is possible to check economic recession is going to influence greatly people's liveli- hood and this is what the public are most concerned about. Should public opinion think that building works that can help check "economic recession", stimulate economic revival and keep "general inflation" under control are far more urgent than works that only serve the window-dressing purpose of decorating peace and prosperity and should be given top priority, then the Council must face the reality by revising the original schedule and formulating a policy reasonable enough to adjust to the present situation. It is because ideal is one thing and reality is another. Our policy should not be divorced from reality. It should have a high degree of adapt- ability and flexibility. Based on the above reasons, I would like to submit the following proposals:-

(a) To seek public opinion so as to decide whether the original building plans should still be given top priority or be given a lesser priority and be deferred in the light of the overall economic situation now prevailing in Hong Kong. If we do not do this, I am afraid that the public

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will get the wrong impression that the Council is only keen to show off its capacity and achievement but not taking public welfare and interest into primary considera- tion.

(b) If the majority of the population are of the opinion that these building projects or part of these projects should be temporarily shelved until there is an upturn in economy, then we should suitably modify our policy in order to suit the need of the people.

(c) I suggest that under the present circumstances, the priority of a project should be determined on the basis of whether such project, if carried out, will be of help to the overall economic situation of Hong Kong. In other words, any project which will enhance employment op- portunities, attract overseas investments, strengthen the confidence of local investing public and will contribute towards stimulating the recovery of the economy of Hong Kong, should be given top priority no matter whether such project is a concern of the Central Government or the Council. I personally think that the construction of the underground railway is more urgently needed by and of far greater importance to the community than the Cultural Complex at Tsim Sha Tsui. We should consider a conditional loan to the Central Government to support the construction of the mass transit system. As for the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex, we can wait until the economic situation improves and then start the construc- tion work. It may be that the construction of the mass transit system will so activate the economy that it will stimulate the building of the Cultural Complex at a later date and will perhaps cause its completion to materialize much earlier. On the other hand, if we insist on carrying out our Cultural Complex project, then our plan may be rendered abortive one day in the event of a further deterioration of our economy in future. I therefore sincerely request Members of this Council to consider and discuss this issue. I believe that the Urban Council is a part of the Hong Kong Government as well as a part of the community. It relies on the community to survive and shares the same weal and woe with the community. For this reason, we should attach importance to the best interest of the people of Hong Kong when making any