Page 44 of 174
52
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, the question of "Keep Hong Kong Clean" is mainly a question of education and practice. I would like to know how much have we spent on education and how much have we spent in practice, as Miss YEUNG has just said, we may be able to spend more in the practice of cleaning Hong Kong.
MRS. HO (in English):-The figure I have for "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign was the amount I quoted earlier. As for the question on education, it is a matter for the Education Department, as part of the Government support for "Clean Hong Kong" Campaign, which put it in the curriculum of the schools. As far as the Clean Hong Kong Campaign is concerned our contribution towards the funds is when the CYC Groups, the "Keep Your City Clean" Youth Groups, come up to help in community activities, that is where funds are spent.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Firstly, I would like Dr. WONG to clarify one point. In his question he said members of the public think that we spent a lot but the results have not been promising. But as far as I know, the "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign is one of the main achievements of the Urban Council so I would like to know who are the members of the public who told Dr. Wong, or is it his own idea?
DR. WONG (in Cantonese):-I cannot specifically say who the members of public are.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Does it mean that it is Dr. WONG'S own idea?
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): -If what I hear would be my own idea, then I do not think it is logical. We all hear from the people of Hong Kong.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-To clarify, but not to be the subject of a debate, I will give the floor to Dr. HUANG.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -When we use the term "members of the public", we have to have a base and we cannot use our own opinion and say that that is the opinion of the public.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Dr. WONG, please, and this should be the last word on this particular point.
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): --The main point is I would like to know how much of the $24 million was spent on educating people to keep Hong Kong clean and whether further funds are spent for people to apply what they have learnt in their homes or shops?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 44 of 174
53
MRS. HO (in English):--It is a very difficult one because it is a question of "the sky's the limit". I think when it comes to community involvement it is not a question of how much money we spend but how we go about it, and I wouldn't like to give a blank check that this can be done. It is a continuing progress and I can assure Dr. WONG that we are very much aware of the problem and if Dr. WONG has any specific proposals I would welcome whatever contribution he can make.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -I would like to ask the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee of her experience as Chairman in the last few years whether with the assistance of 14 Government departments the money spent on educating 4.1 million people of Hong Kong to change their bad attitude was worthwhile? Of course, all the money has been approved by the Council but whether it has been spent in a worthwhile manner.
MRS. Ho (in English):--I am not sure whether this question is directed at me personally or whether it is from the assessment of what the support for it, which is in short, tied up with the question addressed to Dr. HUANG.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Under Standing Order 12, Section 9, the Chairman can invite any member to answer a question. As it concerned the period in which Dr. HUANG was himself Chairman, I would like to give him the pleasure of answering that question himself. (Laughter)
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, actually the main part of $24 million was spent when I was the Chairman of the Select Committee and, of course, all the money spent was approved by the Council each year and I was only carrying out the wishes of the Council. But the main problem was that we could obtain the co-operation of the Police to help us to clean Hong Kong and the work was of such magnitude would have to be based on education, publicity and the co-operation of the community. Before 1972 Hong Kong was a known black spot but I believe that no one can deny how that Hong Kong has changed for the better but of course the ultimate has not arrived yet. We have to continue working at it, but I think that what we spent is worthwhile. When we talk about education, we cannot talk about money in terms of doing business. We have to carry out the job of education.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Does anybody wish to ask Dr. Denny HUANG any supplementary questions? (Laughter) If not, may we move to item 5 of the agenda.
Page 44 of 174
Page 44 of 174
52
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, the question of "Keep Hong Kong Clean" is mainly a question of education and practice. I would like to know how much have we spent on education and how much have we spent in practice, as Miss YEUNG has just said, we may be able to spend more in the practice of cleaning Hong Kong.
MRS. HO (in English):-The figure I have for "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign was the amount I quoted earlier. As for the ques- tion on education, it is a matter for the Education Department, as part of the Government support for "Clean Hong Kong" Campaign, which put it in the curriculum of the schools. As far as the Clean Hong Kong Campaign is concerned our contribution towards the funds is when the CYC Groups, the "Keep Your City Clean" Youth Groups, come up to help in community activities, that is where funds are spent.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Firstly, I would like Dr. WONG to clarify one point. In his question he said members of the public think that we spent a lot but the results have not been promising. But as far as I know, the "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign is one of the main achievements of the Urban Council so I would like to know who are the members of the public who told Dr. Wong, or is it his own idea?
DR. WONG (in Cantonese):-I cannot specifically say who the members of public are.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Does it mean that it is Dr. WONG'S own idea?
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): -If what I hear would be my own idea, then I do not think it is logical. We all hear from the people of Hong Kong.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-To clarify, but not to be the subject of a debate, I will give the floor to Dr. HUANG.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -When we use the term "members of the public", we have to have a base and we cannot use our own opinion and say that that is the opinion of the public.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Dr. WONG, please, and this should be the last word on this particular point.
DR. WONG (in Cantonese): --The main point is I would like to know how much of the $24 million was spent on educating people to keep Hong Kong clean and whether further funds are spent for people to apply what they have learnt in their homes or shops?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 44 of 174
53
MRS. HO (in English):--It is a very difficult one because it is a question of "the sky's the limit". I think when it comes to community involvement it is not a question of how much money we spend but how we go about it, and I wouldn't like to give a blank check that this can be done. It is a continuing progress and I can assure Dr. WONG that we are very much aware of the problem and if Dr. WONG has any specific proposals I would welcome whatever contribution he can make.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -I would like to ask the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee of her experience as Chairman in the last few years whether with the assistance of 14 Government departments the money spent on educating 41 million people of Hong Kong to change their bad attitude was worthwhile? Of course, all the money has been approved by the Council but whether it has been spent in a worthwhily manner.
MRS. Ho (in English):--I am not sure whether this question is directed at me personally or whether it is from the assessment of what the support for it, which is in short, tied up with the question addressed to Dr. HUANG.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Under Standing Order 12, Section 9, the Chairman can invite any member to answer a question. As it con- cerned the period in which Dr. HUANG was himself Chairman, I would like to give him the pleasure of answering that question himself. (Laughter)
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, actually the main part of $24 million was spent when I was the Chairman of the Select Committee and, of course, all the money spent was approved by the Council each year and I was only carrying out the wishes of the Council. But the main problem was that we could obtain the co- operation of the Police to help us to clean Hong Kong and the work was of such magnitude would have to be based on education, publicity and the co-operation of the community. Before 1972 Hong Kong was a known black spot but I believe that no one can deny how that Hong Kong has changed for the better but of course the ultimate has not arrived yet. We have to continue working at it, but I think that what we spent is worthwhile. When we talk about education, we cannot talk about money in terms of doing business. We have to carry out the job of education.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Does anybody wish to ask Dr. Denny HUANG any supplementary questions? (Laughter) If not, may we move to item 5 of the agenda.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.