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vitalized, and made accountable to the community through a revised system of indirect election from established community areas such as Commerce, the Kai Fongs, the Heung Yee Kuk, Justices of Peace and the Urban Council. This does not preclude other nominations, but it does imply that at least some Representatives should be accountable for their words and actions to important sections of public opinion. The Government has created an impossible situation; I hope they will have the courage to correct it.

Ombudsman

There is one final area of administration interest to which I will refer briefly; that is the Ombudsman issue.

I am more than ever convinced that, in the face of an unseeing Government machine and the power of wealth, the little man is often helpless in his own defence. UMELCO Office, despite its high-powered staff, is no Ombudsman; the I.C.A.C., despite its pretentions, is un- acceptable.

I believe, that an Ombudsman office would be of value in the community. However, Government has shut the door to such develop- ment by a simple, and unsatisfactory, dialogue in the Legislative Chamber. I suggest that we had best improvise in the situation and that Urban Councillors accept the challenge of providing a convenient and impartial information/advisory service for the public from our New Council Chambers, covering the whole spectrum of community problems and affairs. Basically, this would provide a "Community Clinic" in our New Chambers, serviced by Councillors of varied pro- fessional background on a voluntary basis, to consider complaints and problems with those groups and individuals in the community who are concerned and involved. Such a "Clinic" might be serviced once or twice a week and I believe there would be support from Councillors for this idea for wider community involvement.

CONCLUSION

In concluding, may I say that we move shortly into our New Council Chamber, and into a new Council era. I hope it will be a lively Chamber and a progressive era.

I have suggested that we should look now at the overall organiza- tional structure of our Secretariat, Works Planning and Public Relations Sections and, possibly, our Treasury with a view to providing the right frame-work for progress on all fronts. Remember that "The whole difference between efficient and inefficient administration lies in the

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creative use of officials". In the process to more "Open Government", I hope we will see more debate and public participation in our new environment. I have suggested the creation of a "Community Clinic" as a public service. I suggest also that we should extend our system of Council Debates to encourage wider public discussion on Policy and our Budget, in addition to the well-establi hed Conventional Debate. There should be movement towards more Open Meetings with admis- sion of the Press to appropriate Select Committee meetings.

Hopefully, in the year ahead, we can crystallize our thoughts on Urban Council expansion and initiate steps to achieve reasonable ends. These, and other constructive proposals arising from the present Debate deserve the close and early attention of Councillors. Decision and action are needed. I hope the Council will respond. (Applause).

ADJOURNMENT - 4.48 P.M.

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CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and gentlemen, Council stands adjourned until Thursday, 9th December, 1976, at 2.30 p.m. As agreed, the Debate will then resume.