Page 63 of 120
92
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, about the budget for this year, although there is a deficit, I personally would support the Council and consider that we should further promote the meaningful cultural and recreational facilities that we are doing because these cultural and recreational facilities are mainly for the interest of the public and not for the elite of the society because for the people who are rich, if such facilities do not exist in Hong Kong they can go abroad to enjoy them, so the facilities we provide are for the common people and we should maintain such facilities and services. I also think that on the point as to whether we can economize on unnecessary expenditure, I agree also, but I am sure we have spent a lot of time discussing the expenditure currently faced by the Council and whatever expenses we can reduce we have cut down, say, I quote an example of markets there are some market schemes which we have postponed, but in the long term if we are to postpone everything, then the prosperity and economy of Hong Kong would be affected adversely, especially in the area of law and order. As for the mentioning just now about hawker control costs I would like to say that we have paid special attention to the training of General Duties Teams. We have given them special training and also reorganized the manpower of the G.D.T. which was over 130 some years ago, and now, it is down to 80 odd. This shows that, through training, we have improved our services and also cut down the number of staff which could possibly be cut down and also expenditure. I hope that the Council will not cut the expenditure on the control of hawkers. We should try to improve the method of control because we cannot continue tolerating hawkers hawking in the streets, blocking traffic and other prosperity. I support the motion.
MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese): - Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting I indicated that I would abstain from the budget. However, during this period of time, I have read through papers, I have also reviewed the various projects progress that we have made, and also the funds we would require for such progresses. I know that the funds required are tremendous and I know that we cannot stop in the midst of our work, so today, I am willing to support the motion.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English): - Mr. Chairman, I have listened with interest to a number of speakers. The aim of them not only the theme,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 63 of 120
93
CHAIRMAN (in English): - Thank you. Does any other Member wish to speak on the motion? If no other Member wishes to speak, I will exercise my right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17.
The first point to remember in dealing with the Council's estimates is that they were carefully prepared and checked by the department before submission to their respective select committees. Subsequently, every Member of the Council serving on a select committee was given the chance of putting forward his or her opinion. In fact, Members did just that, and so the estimates of the various select committees represent their considered views. The other point to remember is that all these views were collated by the Finance Select Committee and carefully gone over once again before putting the estimates together to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council for final examination. At that time, every Member of the Council had access to all the figures and was given the chance once more to express an opinion, as some Members declared today. So there is no question of this budget not being that of the Council as a whole.
I would like to mention, here and now, as I have done on numerous occasions before, that the Council values very much the services rendered by the staff. The Council employs the Urban Services Department and they serve with dedication and professional knowledge of a very high standard. It is not their fault that the payroll has exceeded the rate income.
The next point I would like to make is simply what has been mentioned today: that whatever economies we might introduce would be negligible in comparison with the huge expenditure. Moreover, such economies would be at the sacrifice of the interest of the people of Hong Kong, more particularly, the young people. Since the Council became financially independent, there has been a vast improvement in the services to benefit young people here. These activities are very much appreciated because they mean in effect the difference between a humdrum existence and the gratification of their thirst for knowledge and the aspirations for the better things of life. Indeed, this aspect of the Council's work has stood out not only in Hong Kong but throughout the world. Only recently when the major cities of the world met in North America, the Council's achievements were extolled. Also, on occasions when Members of the Council have travelled abroad and met people who were in a position to make comparisons, they have come back with the impression that the Council's programmes were in fact not only commended but given the ultimate recognition by being imitated elsewhere.
In my opinion, as personal emoluments take up so much of our budget, whether we can or cannot cut down one or even two million dollars here or there means absolutely nothing. To criticize is easy enough, particularly if one does not do one's sums. The figures are there for all to see. Not only must expenditure be seen but the counterpart revenue must also be taken into account to set off the expenditure on any activity.
I support this motion in general because I think that, as Miss Cecilia YEUNG and other Members think, it is essential to get it to the Government and to see whether, faced with this budget, they are willing to do anything to help the Council out, other than the Council itself having to raise the rates.
The Council's role is to ensure that Hong Kong's public services are comparable to the achievements of private enterprise in the development of
Page 63 of 120
Page 63 of 120
92
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, about the budget for this year, although there is a deficit, I personally would support the Council and consider that we should further promote the meaningful cultural and recreational facilities that we are doing because these cultural and recreational facilities are mainly for the interest of the public and not for the elite of the society because for the people who are rich, if such facilities do not exist in Hong Kong they can go abroad to enjoy them, so the facilities we provide are for the common people and we should maintain such facilities and services. I also think that on the point as to whether we can economize on unnecessary expenditure, I agree also, but I am sure we have spent a lot of time discussing the expenditure currently faced by the Council and whatever expenses we can reduce we have cut down, say, I quote an example of markets there are some market schemes which we have postponed, but in the long term if we are to postpone everything, then the prosperity and economy of Hong Kong would be affected adversely, especially in the area of law and order. As for the mentioning just now about hawker control costs I would like to say that we have paid special attention to the training of General Duties Teams. We have given them special training and also reorganized the manpower of the G.D.T. which was over 130 some years ago, and now, it is down to 80 odd. This shows that, through training, we have improved our services and also cut down the number of staff which could possibly be cut down and also expenditure. I hope that the Council will not cut the expenditure on the control of hawkers. We should try to improve the method of control because we cannot continue tolerating hawkers hawking in the streets, blocking traffic and other prosperity. I support the motion. MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, at the last meeting I indicated that I would abstain from the budget. However, during this period of time, I have read through papers, I have also reviewed the various projects progress that we have made, and also the funds we would require for such progresses. I know that the funds required are tremendous and I know that we cannot stop in the midst of our work, so today, I am willing to support the motion.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I have listened with interest to a number of speakers. The aim of them not only the theme,
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 63 of 120
93
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Thank you. Does any other Member wish to speak on the motion? If no other Member wishes to speak, I will exercise my right of reply under Standing Order 21, Section 17.
The first point to remember in dealing with the Council's estimates is that they were carefully prepared and checked by the department before submis- sion to their respective select committees. Subsequently, every Member of the Council serving on a select committee was given the chance of putting forward his or her opinion. In fact, Members did just that, and so the estimates of the various select committees represent their considered views. The other point to remember is that all these views were collated by the Finance Select Committee and carefully gone over once again before putting the estimates together to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council for final examination. At that time, every Member of the Council had access to all the figures and was given the chance once more to express an opinion, as some Members declared today. So there is no question of this budget not being that of the Council as a whole.
I would like to mention, here and now, as I have done on numerous occasions before, that the Council values very much the services rendered by the staff. The Council employs the Urban Services Department and they serve with dedication and professional knowledge of a very high standard. It is not their fault that the payroll has exceeded the rate income.
The next point I would like to make is simply what has been mentioned today: that whatever economies we might introduce would be negligible in comparison with the huge expenditure. Moreover, such economies would be at the sacrifice of the interest of the people of Hong Kong, more particularly, the young people. Since the Council became financially independent, there has been a vast improvement in the services to benefit young people here. These activities are very much appreciated because they mean in effect the difference between a humdrum existence and the gratification of their thirst for knowledge and the aspirations for the better things of life. Indeed, this aspect of the Council's work has stood out not only in Hong Kong but throughout the world. Only recently when the major cities of the world met in North America, the Council's achievements were extolled. Also, on occa- sions when Members of the Council have travelled abroad and met people who were in a position to make comparisons, they have come back with the
being an attempt, valid or invalid, to justify certain Select Committee's work. impression that the Council's programmes were in fact not only commended
In my opinion, as personal emoluments take up so much of our budget, whether may be that we can or cannot cut down one or even two million dollars here or there means absolutely nothing. I support this motion in general
but given the ultimate recognition by being imitated elsewhere.
To criticize is easy enough, particularly if one does not do one's sums.
because I think that, as Miss Cecilia YEUNG and other Members think, it is The figures are there for all to see. Not only must expenditure be seen but essential to get it to the Government and to see whether, faced with this the counterpart revenue must also be taken into account to set off the budget, they are willing to do anything to help the Council out, other than expenditure on any activity. the Council itself having to raise the rates.
The Council's role is to ensure that Hong Kong's public services are comparable to the achievements of private enterprise in the development of
Page 63 of 120
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.