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Committee Chairman is akin to that of a Minister in a Government Department, I have noticed many important differences. From what I have observed in the last nine months, a number of Select Committee Chairman has expressed frustration over their inability to get any positive action in a time scale that they felt to be reasonable out of the U.S.D. Select Committee Chairmen are asked to answer questions raised by other Councillors on matters relevant to their Committee. Whilst I appreciate that this gives them an opportunity to explain policy issues to the public, (as indeed some question known to be planted by the Select Committee Chairmen) I venture to suggest whether this whole system might not require reexamination for its suitability for universal application.
are
I am aware that an independent study was made some years ago on the structure of the Council and in particular, its relationship with the U.S.D. Whilst a number of the recommendations arising from the study have apparently been adopted, some were either rejected or possibly have yet to be considered. In view of the changes to the Council and the U.S.D. in recent years, I question whether it is not appropriate for another similar study to be made at this time?
The Urban Council is financially independent and in order to balance our budget, we have sought and obtained approval from Government for an increase in rates of per cent in the rateable values. If approved, this would give rise to an additional income from this source of approximately $235 million for the financial year 1986/87 representing 11.4 per cent of our total expenditure budget for that year. In the light of the general increase in costs over the last few years and the inevitable delay in revisions to rateable values, this request would appear to be very reasonable. However, the Council must redouble its efforts to ensure not only that the spending of public money is properly controlled but also that maximum benefit is obtained from the minimum level of expenditure. I have not failed to notice that the majority of the Council's expenditure is on staff salaries paid to the U.S.D.'s staff. It is in this area that we must sharpen our focus on our scrutiny of expenditure.
I am pleased to note that values for money studies will be carried out in the near future and that membership of the relevant steering committee will include 2 of our councillors despite their omission from the original proposal submitted by the Department. I would urge those involved in such studies to bear in mind that reduction in expenditure is not necessarily synonymous with reduction in service or its quality to the public. Also, given the limited powers of our councillors over the actual functioning of the U.S.D. I, for one, would be looking for some additional assurance that the findings of such studies would not be 'tampered' with, or otherwise unjustifiably discredited.
Having lived in the United Kingdom for a number of years and having travelled extensively throughout the world in the last ten years, I am convinced that we in Hong Kong have an outstanding civil service which citizens of Hong Kong can truly be proud of. Let me hasten to add that they are by no means
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perfect and they do need watching and questioning from time to time. However, I would challenge anyone to find a better one anywhere else in the world. Our civil service was not created overnight but has evolved over the years blending in local talents with expatriate expertise. We must endeavour to continue to harness their skills in the years to come. Let us not lose sight of the fact that an efficient and responsible civil service is a necessary, but often overlooked, ingredient for the continual stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is going through a period of drastic changes to its political systems. We have only a limited period of time to come up with a system which would ensure that the Sino-British Declaration will be successfully implemented after 1997. What exists to-day is a combination of historical accidents and recent experiments. There have been enough said about the merits and demerits of the present system whereby each of our councillor sit on a District Board whereas there is no direct representation of the District Boards on our Council. I do not believe that it would be appropriate for me to elaborate on the relevant issues on this occasion. Under the present set-up, there are certain areas in which the Urban Council and the District Board have common interests. The Council should underscore the need to promote better relationship with the District Boards to ensure that the views of the people of Hong Kong are taken into consideration in the formulation of all our policies and that the bases of our policies are fully explained to the people through the forum of the District Boards.
I have detected that on occasions, the District Boards' view of the Urban Council's work has been far from complimentary. Whilst a degree of constructive criticism is healthy and is to be encouraged, care must be taken to ensure that such criticism are not caused by poor communications.
The apparent misunderstanding which has led to the recent boycott by District Board Chairman of the briefing session on hawker policies is regrettable and the alleged attitudes of a small minority of people involved as advised to me was disappointing. In these transitional times, both the Urban Council and the District Board have vital but different roles to play and we must work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation for the common good of the people of Hong Kong.
Let me close by quoting a short passage from the inauguration speech delivered by the late President John F. KENNEDY which might be relevant in the context of Hong Kong to-day:
'Ask not what your country can do for you Ask what you can do for your country.'
With these words, I support the motion.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN and Dr. Philip Kwok left at this point—5.10 p.m.)
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Committee Chairman is akin to that of a Minister in a Government Department, I have noticed many important differences. From what I have observed in the last nine months, a number of Select Committee Chairman has expressed frustration over their inability to get any positive action in a time scale that they felt to be reasonable out of the U.S.D. Select Committee Chairmen are asked to answer questions raised by other Councillors on matters relevant to their Committee. Whilst I appreciate that this gives them an opportunity to explain policy issues to the public, (as indeed some question known to be planted by the Select Committee Chairmen) I venture to suggest whether this whole system might not require reexamination for its suitability for universal application.
are
I am aware that an independent study was made some years ago on the structure of the Council and in particular, its relationship with the U.S.D. Whilst a number of the recommendations arising from the study have apparently been adopted, some were either rejected or possibly have yet to be considered. In view of the changes to the Council and the U.S.D. in recent years, I question whether it is not appropriate for another similar study to be made at this time?
The Urban Council is financially independent and in order to balance our budget, we have sought and obtained approval from Government for an increase in rates of per cent in the rateable values. If approved, this would give rise to an additional income from this source of approximately $235 million for the financial year 1986/87 representing 11.4 per cent of our total expenditure budget for that year. In the light of the general increase in costs over the last few years and the inevitable delay in revisions to rateable values, this request would appear to be very reasonable. However, the Council must redouble its efforts to ensure not only that the spending of public money is properly controlled but also that maximum benefit is obtained from the minimum level of expenditure. I have not failed to notice that the majority of the Council's expenditure is on staff salaries paid to the U.S.D.'s staff. It is in this area that we must sharpen our focus on our scrutiny of expenditure.
I am pleased to note that values for money studies will be carried out in the near future and that membership of the relevant steering committee will include 2 of our councillors despite their omission from the original proposal submitted by the Department. I would urge those involved in such studies to bear in mind that reduction in expenditure is not necessarily synonymous with reduction in service or its quality to the public. Also, given the limited powers of our councillors over the actual functioning of the U.S.D. I, for one, would be looking for some additional assurance that the findings of such studies would not be 'tampered' with, or otherwise unjustifiably discredited.
Having lived in the United Kingdom for a number of years and having travelled extensively throughout the world in the last ten years, I am convinced that we in Hong Kong have an outstanding civil service which citizens of Hong Kong can truly be proud of. Let me hasten to add that they are by no means
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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219
perfect and they do need watching and questioning from time to time. However, I would challenge anyone to find a better one anywhere else in the world. Our civil service was not created overnight but has evolved over the years blending in local talents with expatriate expertize. We must endeavour to continue to harness their skills in the years to come. Let us not lose sight of the fact that an efficient and responsible civil service is a necessary, but often overlooked, ingredient for the continual stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is going through a period of drastic changes to its political systems. We have only a limited period of time to come up with a system which would ensure that the Sino British Declaration will be successfully implemented after 1997. What exists to-day is a combination of historical accidents and recent experiments. There have been enough said about the merits and demerits of the present system whereby each of our councillor sit on a District Board whereas there is no direct representation of the District Boards on our Council. I do not believe that it would be appropriate for me to elaborate on the relevant issues on this occasion. Under the present set-up, there are certain areas in which the Urban Council and the District Board have common interests. The Council should underscore the need to promote better relationship with the District Boards to ensure that the views of the people of Hong Kong are taken into consideration in the formulation of all our policies and that the bases of our policies are fully explained to the people through the forum of the District Boards.
I have detected that on occasions, the District Boards' view of the Urban Council's work has been far from complimentary. Whilst a degree of constructure criticism is healthy and is to be encouraged, care must be taken to ensure that such criticism are not caused by poor communications.
The apparent misunderstanding which has led to the recent boycott by District Board Chairman of the briefing session on hawker policies is regrettable and the alleged attitudes of a small minority of people involved as advised to me was disappointing. In these transitional times, both the Urban Council and the District Board have vital but different roles to play and we must work together in a spirit of mutual cooperation for the common good of the people of Hong Kong.
Let me close by quoting a short passage from the inauguration speech delivered by the late President John F. KENNEDY which might be relevant in the context of Hong Kong to-day:
'Ask not what your country can do for you Ask what you can do for your country.'
With these words, I support the motion.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN and Dr. Philip Kwok left at this point—5.10 p.m.)
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