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up, the Council's priorities should be kept firmly in perspective. Indeed, first things first. It is certainly essential to discharge primary public responsibilities to the best of the Council's ability with all the resources in its power before committing them to more exciting ventures.
This Council is acutely aware that it stands or falls on how it does its everyday work. Consequently, care is taken that even what may be thought basic and routine is also put under critical examination from time to time. Research is done; overseas experience sought if required; and, new local circumstances evaluated—in fact, all this exercise is intended to do a better job. An actual example is the most pertinent report on street cleansing services just issued by the Urban Services Department.
Generally, governmental functions are not performed in a competitive situation. Yet, to the extent possible, this Council carries on as if it were so. Business experience is drawn on and management techniques are applied increasingly. And, most important, there is practical accountability by the department to the select committees at their regular meetings. This is done not in general terms but in a searching way to meet the exacting standards by which the Council would like to measure its own performance in the specific matters under its jurisdiction. Hence, the constant emphasis on a more businesslike way of working together.
The Council also encourages the Urban Services Department to work closely with community organizations. It seeks, by doing so, better public understanding of what it strives to do for community betterment. On their part, the people also have a vital stake in what the Council does because it makes a clear difference to the ordinary living conditions of all citizens without distinction. For example, when streets are not swept and refuse is not collected, all suffer the consequences. And, if contaminated food is allowed to be sold without restraint or confiscation, the buying public will be indiscriminately exposed to harmful effects.
This Annual Report is a broad account of the Council's work. But, when taken together with the published monthly reports and statistics, it shows the measure of the service the Council gives to the community.
I so move.
DR. HENRY H. L. HU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
87
(2) MRS. GRACE HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion (in English):—
"RESOLVED that the Laundry (Amendment) (No. 2) By-laws 1977 be made under section 40 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132."
She said:—Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
"That the Laundry (Amendment) (No. 2) By-laws 1977 be made under section 40 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.”
The main purpose of these amendment by-laws is to revoke the principal by-laws which were originally made at a time when prevailing environmental conditions required control against the risk of spread of infectious diseases through laundered articles. Thus all laundries have been licensed under the principal by-laws and have observed the requirements and conditions on health and hygiene as contained therein.
The development of medical science and improvements in laundry equipment have reduced this risk to such an extent that neither are these by-laws considered necessary any longer nor is there a need to continue licensing existing laundries.
The amendment by-laws will come into effect on 1st August 1977 and the licensees will be refunded the fees paid on the number of full months remaining after the revocation of the principal by-laws.
I beg to move.
MR. AMBROSE K. C. CHÖI (in English):—I second the motion in my name.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Are you ready for the vote? Yes, Mr. CHAN?
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think I just have to say that quite a lot of the time people have been accusing the Urban Council of making a lot of regulations which make life very difficult for people. I welcome the abolition of this by-law and may it...
Page 61 of 174
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...
87
Page 61 of 174
86
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
up, the Council's priorities should be kept firmly in perspective. Indeed, first things first. It is certainly essential to discharge primary public responsibilities to the best of the Council's ability with all the resources in its power before committing them to more exciting ventures.
This Council is acutely aware that it stands or falls on how it does its everyday work. Consequently, care is taken that even what may be thought basic and routine is also put under critical examination from time to time. Research is done; overseas experience sought if required; and, new local circumstances evaluated-in fact, all this exercise is intended to do a better job. An actual example is the most pertinent report on beat cleansing services just issued by the Urban Services Department.
Generally, governmental functions are not performed in a competi- tive situation. Yet, to the extent possible, this Council carries on as if it were so. Business experience is drawn on and management techniques are applied increasingly. And, most important, there is practical accountability by the department to the select committees at their regular meetings. This is done not in general terms but in a searching way to meet the exacting standards by which the Council would like to measure its own performance in the specific matters under its jurisdiction. Hence, the constant emphasis on a more businesslike way of working together.
The Council also encourages the Urban Services Department to work closely with community organizations. It seeks, by doing so, better public understanding of what it strives to do for community betterment. On their part, the people also have a vital stake in what the Council does because it makes a clear difference to the ordinary living conditions of all citizens without distinction. For example, when streets are not swept and refuse is not collected, all suffer the conse- quences. And, if contaminated food is allowed to be sold without restraint or confiscation, the buying public will be indiscriminately exposed to harmful effects.
This Annual Report is a broad account of the Council's work. But, when taken together with the published monthly reports and statistics, it shows the measure of the service the Council gives to the community.
I so move.
DR. HENRY H. L. Hu (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The question was put.
The motion was carried unanimously.
87
(2) MRS. GRACE HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion (in English): -
"RESOLVED that the Laundry (Amendment) (No. 2) By-laws 1977 be made under section 40 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132."
She said:-Mr. Chairman, as the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:
"That the Laundry (Amendment) (No. 2) By-laws 1977 be made under section 40 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.”
The main purpose of these amendment by-laws is to revoke the principal by-laws which were originally made at a time when prevailing environmental conditions required control against the risk of spread of infectious diseases through laundered articles. Thus all laundries have been licensed under the principal by-laws and have observed the requirements and conditions on health and hygiene as contained therein.
The development of medical science and improvements in laundry equipment have reduced this risk to such an extent that neither are these by-laws considered necessary any longer nor is there a need to continue licensing existing laundries.
The amendment by-laws will come into effect on 1st August 1977 and the licensees will be refunded the fees paid on the number of full months remaining after the revocation of the principal by-laws.
I beg to move.
MR. AMBROSE K. C. CHƠI (in English):-I second the motion in my name.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Are you ready for the vote? Yes, Mr.
CHAN?
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think I just have to say that quite a lot of the time people have been accusing the Urban Council of making a lot of regulations which make life very difficult for people. I welcome the abolition of this by-law and may it
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