1974 — Page 93

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. NG (in English):-If the Committee and Dr. HUANG feel like it, I can supply him with the extra copies of our minutes.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—Mr. Chairman, whether or not it is the duty of the Government to consult the Council, in fact, why has the Council not been consulted over these increases?

MR. NG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am afraid that only the Government can answer this question, not me.

MR. BERNACCHI (in English):-Has the Council, by its servants, inquired from the Government why it has not consulted the Council over these increases?

MR. NG (in English): -Mr. Chairman, this question was also raised in the Select Committee and the Director of Urban Services was requested to make an approach, but we have not got any answer so far.

MOTIONS

(1) THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, addressed the Council.

He said (in English):-This is the first time that the Council con- siders its audited annual accounts for submission to the Government.

These accounts were passed by the Director of Audit without qualification. The Council makes it a practice of seeking his advice whenever in doubt.

Members are moreover directly involved in the practical discharge of our collective financial responsibility. Separate statements are scrutinized by the select committees at their monthly meetings and there are also other measures introduced by the Finance Select Committee to ensure that the Council is exercising actual control of the public funds entrusted to its care. Such interest has encouraged the department. Their good work is much appreciated, in particular the loyal service given by the Senior Treasury Accountant and his staff in the Accounts Section.

We had a handsome surplus of just over $42m in addition to the grant of $20m by the Government to set the Council on its own course. While this money is being put to earning good interest, the Council is nevertheless anxious to increase progressively in the ensuing years our expenditure on capital account so that we may give better service and more amenities to the public. Even so, a good start is being made in

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

many directions; still, we want to achieve even more and regret that

it is necessary to mark time.

Because we are in such a relatively good cash position for the time being, the Council has offered in good faith to the Government to pay for a number of minor building projects the Government under- took to carry out at the time the Council was re-constituted but which the Government is not now doing at once though they are much needed. This offer was announced at the Council Meeting on 11th June, 1974. An actual initial programme has been worked out and agreed in principle.

Though no reply has been received from the Government on the timing of the completion of each counterpart project, the Council is already starting work on the first one just to show our goodwill.

Since Members have the opportunity of discussing financial matters at all meetings of our select committees, not only the Finance Select Committee, and also in the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, and these accounts have been so scrutinized, you will not expect me to examine our position in more detail than I have done today, particularly as policy statements on financial matters are made periodically and are a part of our public record. So, it remains only for me to say that it will always be the Council's endeavour, just as it is its obligation, to put its money to good use in the service of the community.

In moving the adoption of the resolution, I would like to thank the Chairman and Members of the Finance Select Committee for all the good work that they did in the past year.

The motion reads:-

"RESOLVED that the audited Statement of Assets and Liabili- ties and Statement of Revenue and Expenditure of the Urban Council for the year ended 31st March, 1974 be adopted."

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in seconding the motion I would like to con- gratulate the Department, and in particular the Accounts Section, in obtaining an unqualified Report from the Director of Audit.

This achievement reflects credit on the Council, and I am pleased to say that the close and harmonious relationship between the Finance Select Committee and the Department has contributed to this in no small measure. I am given to understand that an unqualified certificate has not been issued by the Director of Audit on the Hong Kong Govern- ment accounts for at least the last 10 years.