1975 — Page 45

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All

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pros and cons on this point. We will discuss further whether they should always wear uniforms, but at present there are many Litter Wardens who do not wear uniforms.

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English): -Mr. Chairman, on the same point as that, I wonder whether Dr. HUANG is aware that his words are com- pletely contradicted with the words of the Urban Services Department which says that they must wear uniforms.

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, I didn't say that the Urban Services Department lay down that they have to wear uniforms, so I don't think they have to wear uniforms.

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, my next question is that Dr. HUANG says that "the details of the case are as follows". Does he know that the details are the details given by the Urban Services Department and they are flatly contradicted by what Dr. HUANG said?

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I can only give my reply on the basis of informations given to me by the Urban Services Department.

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, is Dr. HUANG aware that in the court, the Magistrate found Mr. LEUNG not guilty and blamed the Urban Services Department?

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, in such case, it is not unexpected because it is very difficult to say on the legal matters.

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English): —Mr. Chairman, I just want to clarify that I think it is important for this Council that we should keep the name of our Litter Wardens good and not that they just do as they like. I wonder if Dr. HUANG could explain why he accepts the Urban Services Department version without enquiring whether it is correct and does he accept the fact that the Litter Wardens are always right and the members of the public who complain are always wrong?

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, to say that Anti- litter Wardens are always right and members of the public are always wrong, that was not said by me, but by Mrs. ELLIOTT. I think we have to be sympathetic towards their work. Their work is not pleasant and they usually face some kinds of difficulties. To say that they assault members of the public, I am quite doubtful because they work in a group of three and if some members of the public throw a paper on the pavement, then they do not have to assault one member of the public

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by three Wardens. Of course I have no proof on this matter. I think the Police and the Court could make some correct decision.

MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, is Dr. HUANG, the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, satisfied that the complaints have been investigated and were approved by the Urban Services Department and by the Urban Council?

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, whenever any matter is raised by a Councillor a reply is given by the Urban Services Depart- I believe that the Urban Services Department will treat it ment. seriously. They will work according to our Policy.

MRS. ELLIOTT (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in that case, is Dr. HUANG suggesting that the Magistrate is wrong? (Laughter).

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, again these are Mrs. ELLIOTT's words. I also feel that I am not too good in Law, I am not saying that the Magistrate is right or wrong.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, whilst Mr. LEUNG's case was subjudice, it is difficult to see how action could have been taken other than as it was. But now that the case has been decided and therefore the judicial aspect closed, can further investiga- tions be made now by the Urban Services Department into this allegation?

DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, I would be very happy to transfer Mr. BERNACCHI's suggestion to the Urban Services Department and I can assure him that Litter Wardens' actions are always reviewed by the relevant Select Committee.

(2) MR. PETER P. F. CHAN asked the following question (in English):-

With the Trade Centre Building to be opened in September 1975, may the Council be advised whether the bookings of the City Hall facilities will be affected and, if so, if any measure is to be taken to counteract the competition?

MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY HALL AND ENTERTAINMENTS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):— Mr. Chairman, the City Hall is designed primarily for the performing arts and visual arts, while the facilities of the

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