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concern is, therefore, on how to achieve effective communications between the Urban Council and the Municipal Services Branch which are independent of each other? How is the Urban Council to win the Branch's endorsement to its policies and assistance in seeking the support of other government depart- ments? From a pessimistic point of view, will the Branch, through a superior- subordinate relationship, try to influence the City Services Department, and eventually the Urban Council? Or worse still, will it try to restrict and control the Council step by step? On the other hand, with the establishment of the new regional council, policies of a similar nature will be decided on separately by the two councils, and how is the Branch going to co-ordinate the work of the two councils effectively?

Based on these considerations, I think the two councils should form a joint policy committee for the following purposes:

(1) To ensure that the two councils would provide services of the same

standard to the public.

(2) To formulate more or less similar policies on the provision of services, taking into consideration the unique conditions of the New Territories and the urban areas.

(3) As a joint committee of the 2 councils to act as a watch-dog over the

Municipal Services Branch.

(4) Apart from indirect co-ordination between the two councils through the Municipal Services Branch, the two councils may consider strengthening direct communications and co-ordination with each other. Therefore, regular informal meetings between the two councils warrant serious consideration.

Urban Council and District Boards

As local administration and the system of representative government develop, the District Boards will assume a more important role with more demands for participation in district matters as well as in the formulation and implementa- tion of policies. This is understandable and, I think, a logical development. The Urban Council, therefore, must not only strengthen the links, but also establish new working relation with the District Boards. We should take the initiative to invite District Boards participation in some of the urban services, so that our policies and services will be compatible with the needs of the districts.

In this respect, I would like to suggest that the Urban Council consider forming district urban services committees in Hong Kong and Kowloon with memberships including Urban Councillors of the districts, representatives of District Board members, representatives of district community leaders, and representatives of the Urban Services Department and other relevant depart- ments. The main functions of the committees will be as follows:

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(1) With regard to territory-wide services, as advisory bodies. (2) To make proposals on the priorities of district facilities such as cultural

and recreational services.

(3) To monitor the provision of urban services in the districts.

(4) To assist in the management of some district facilities, such as cultural and

recreational services.

I believe such committees will help streamline the provision of urban services so that they may more effectively cater to the needs of the districts. A closer working relationship may be built up by way of these committees which do conform to the spirit of representative democracy. In fact I made similar suggestions at the 1984 annual debate. The development of local administra- tion over the year has confirmed my belief that such committees are really required and I hope the Council will carefully consider my proposal.

As for the suggestion of electing one representative from among members of each district board to join the Urban Council, I think it also merits considera- tion, but the District Boards and the public should be consulted before a decision is made.

The hawker problems

In July and August last year, in conjunction with several resident groups of Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan, I conducted a series of surveys, discussions and public forums etc. to study in depth the hawker problems of the district and to suggest effective ways of improvement. I wish now to raise some points here, which are rarely mentioned by others, for consideration of the select committee concerned:

(1) In the interest of public safety, is it possible to prosecute the hawkers by

issuing summons instead of making raids and arrests in the streets?

(2) Apart from considering to open temporary hawker places at specific locations and hours, should we also ban hawking in the busy areas and places where there are a large number of school children around?

(3) Should we, for the convenience of the residents and more economic use of resources, build more small local markets instead of those housed in the Urban Council complexes?

The financial situation of the Urban Council

Finance is perhaps the most difficult problem facing the Urban Council. We all understand how serious this problem is, but so far seem quite helpless about it. The problem has made me aware of the difficulty of a responsible councillor who must know how to spend money for the community as well as how to raise funds from them. The following are principles by which the Urban Council must abide, no matter how it is going to cope with the financial situation:

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