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to ward offices which were not confined within the scope of the Council, and that it would be necessary to introduce arrangements for Ward Councillors to be able to refer such matters to the appropriate department. Heads of departments were, therefore, informed by the Secretariat that on receipt of complaints or requests from Urban Councillors on matters outside the scope of the Council, they should acknowledge the receipt of the complaint or request and either (a) inform the Councillor concerned that appropriate action would be taken, (b) reply to the complainant, with a copy of the reply to the Councillor or (c) reply direct to the Councillor as appropriate.
In September 1973 guidance notes on how to deal with ward cases were sent to all Members. Copies were also sent to all ward offices, and additional copies can always be obtained from the Secretary.
MR. F. K. Hu (in English):---Mr. Chairman, I would like to know whether the department concerned has stated any time limit that they must reply to the Ward Councillor?
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-I am not unaware that there is a specific time limit, but one would expect that response will be received within a reasonable period of time, if not, an appropriate reminder should presumably be sent.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, I wish to know whether any questions outside the jurisdiction of the Urban Council can be raised here because, as MR. MACKENZIE pointed out, this seems to be without the jurisdiction of the Urban Council. So can we ask questions concerning matters outside the jurisdiction of the Urban Council?
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, you might wish to answer that question. (Laughter). I think the short answer to that is that questions outside the scope of this Council cannot be discussed in this meeting. But, as my answer to Dr. WONG's question makes clear, questions arising in Ward Offices on matters outside our jurisdiction can be referred departmentally and, hopefully, useful advice and information received for the benefit of the Ward client. Might I just add, perhaps, as a reply to Mr. Hu's question, if there is a case of delay in response unduly, then I think the matter might be referred to the
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
27
Secretary, Urban Council, or through him to the Administration Select Committee to try to improve the communication system.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—I also want to make a personal statement that in the many years of service as a Ward Councillor I have very seldom had to complain of an inordinate delay of other departments.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. TSIN, I have not avoided answering your question. I prefer that it be answered by the Chairman of the Select Committee, (Laughter) but I will answer it at any time if you want. In fact, the short answer is, as you know, "No". However, should any Member have a problem, he could still raise it with me privately or in the Standing Committee, if he so wished.
STATEMENT BY MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY SELECT COMMITTEE, ON THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-The new Hong Kong Museum of History () will be opened by H.E. the Governor on 18th July, 1975.
The new Museum will be located on the 4th floor of the Star House and has an area of about 8,000 sq. ft. It will be used mainly to display the Council's collections in Local History, Ethnography, Archaeology, Geology and Natural History.
Four exhibitions have been planned to take place upon opening. They are:-
(a) Selected historical pictures and photographs on Hong Kong's history;
(b) Fishing industry in the early history of Hong Kong;
(c) Notes and Coins of Hong Kong;
(d) History of Archaeology in Hong Kong.
As the major portion of the accommodation at the Star House will be used for display, the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee has made arrangements for a supporting workshop and storage area to be provided at the Ground Floor of Block 58 in Kowloon Park.
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to ward offices which were not confined within the scope of the Council, and that it would be necessary to in- troduce arrangements for Ward Councillors to be able to refer such matters to the appropriate department. Heads of departments were, therefore, informed by the Secretariat that on receipt of complaints or requests from Urban Councillors on matters outside the scope of the Council, they should acknowledge the receipt of the com- plaint or request and either (a) inform the Councillor concerned that appropriate action would be taken, (b) reply to the complainant, with a copy of the reply to the Councillor or (c) reply direct to the Councillor as appro- priate.
In September 1973 guidance notes on how to deal with ward cases were sent to all Members. Copies were also sent to all ward offices, and additional copies can always be obtained from the Secretary.
MR. F. K. Hu (in English):---Mr. Chairman, I would like to know whether the department concerned has stated any time limit that they must reply to the Ward Councillor?
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-I am not unaware that there is a specific time limit, but one would expect that response will be received within a reasonable period of time, if not, an appropriate reminder should presumably be sent.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, I wish to know whether any questions outside the jurisdiction of the Urban Council can be raised here because, as Mr. MACKENZIE pointed out, this seems to be without the jurisdiction of the Urban Council. So can we ask questions concerning matters outside the jurisdiction of the Urban Council?
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, you might wish to answer that question. (Laughter). I think the short answer to that is that questions outside the scope of this Council cannot be discussed in this meeting. But, as my answer to Dr. WONG's question makes clear, questions arising in Ward Offices on matters outside our jurisdiction can be referred departmentally and, hopefully, useful advice and in- formation received for the benefit of the Ward client. Might I just add, perhaps, as a reply to Mr. Hu's question, if there is a case of delay in response unduly, then I think the matter might be referred to the
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
27
Secretary, Urban Council, or through him to the Administration Select Committee to try to improve the communication system.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—I also want to make a per- sonal statement that in the many years of service as a Ward Councillor I have very seldom had to complain of an inordinate delay of other departments.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. TSIN, I have not avoided answering your question. I prefer that it be answered by the Chairman of the Select Committee, (Laughter) but I will answer it at any time if you want. In fact, the short answer is, as you know, "No". However, should any Member have a problem, he could still raise it with me privately or in the Standing Committee, if he so wished.
STATEMENT BY MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY SELECT
COMMITTEE, ON THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-The new Hong Kong Museum of History () will be opened by H.E. the Governor on 18th July, 1975.
The new Museum will be located on the 4th floor of the Star House and has an area of about 8,000 sq. ft. It will be used mainly to display the Council's collections in Local History, Ethnography, Archaeology, Geology and Natural History.
Four exhibitions have been planned to take place upon opening. They are:-
(a) Selected historical pictures and photographs on Hong Kong's
history;
(b) Fishing industry in the early history of Hong Kong; (c) Notes and Coins of Hong Kong;
(d) History of Archaeology in Hong Kong.
As the major portion of the accommodation at the Star House will be used for display, the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee has made arrangements for a supporting workshop and storage area to be provided at the Ground Floor of Block 58 in Kowloon Park.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.