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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

they do need a cycling park, perhaps we can set aside certain sites for such projects and, of course, the district boards can help us and the Urban Council can also consider helping them.

MR. YOUNG (in Cantonese):―This is actually different from the situation in Wan Chai. In Wan Chai, there were a lot of children cycling in Oi Kwan Road which is very dangerous because a lot of vehicles use that road as well. The Wan Chai District Board therefore made a proposal and they agreed to fund the project. As far as this particular site is concerned, we have not received any request from the Yau Ma Tei District Board asking us to change this open space into a cycling park. We do not therefore know whether there is such a need or if a need is felt by the majority of the residents. Up to this point, the Recreation Select Committee has not received any such request.

MR. TONG (in Cantonese):----Mr. Chairman, now a site has been given to us for use for over 10 years and do we have any other sites of a similar nature? Also we talk about costs as well, very few people use this particular site and yet we have to spend money on maintaining it. How much money are we spending and is it really cost-effective?

CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):―This is in fact a very vague question.

MR. YOUNG (in Cantonese):—If you want to know the number of sites that we have for temporary use, it is not only under the Recreation Select Committee. I am sure that the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee does have some temporary sites for refuse collection points and perhaps the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee also have sites for cooked food stalls. As regards whether it is cost effective or not, I am very glad that this particular question has been raised. Since we do not want to waste too much resources, that is the reason why we have only put minimum facilities and staffing there. We have to wait till it is given to us for permanent use.

2.

MRS. MARGARET LI asked the following question (in English):—Given the Council's position to look for ways and measures to cut cost without cutting services, and given the demonstrated cost-effectiveness of the Management Services and Audit Unit, are there plans to

(a) identify a priority list from the broad spectrum of the Council's service for focused study;

(b) concomitantly, increase the strength and force of the M.S.A.U.; or

(c) enlist the services of outside management consultants. If yes, what are these plans? If not, why not?

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DR. THE HONOURABLE KIM Y. S. CHAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):--This question deals with the Council's Management Services and Audit Unit and is in three parts.

The first part asks if there are plans to identify a priority list for the Unit to study. A priority list of subjects for study has been identified by the Department and was confirmed by the Administration Select Committee in January 1985. This priority list is subject to regular review, in order to take into account changing circumstances and needs, and to reflect changes in emphasis.

The second part of the question deals with the possibility of increasing the strength of the M.S.A.U. The Department is at present in discussion with the Finance Branch over the strengthening and manning of this Unit. It is expected that an additional senior officer will join the team in September and at the same time the Head of the Unit will be due for replacement on the completion of his term of secondment. When the new Head of Unit takes office the opportunity will be taken to review progress so far and to see if additional studies can be put in hand with the strengthened team.

The third part of the question asks if there are any plans to engage outside management consultants to carry out these studies. There are no such plans but the possibility of engaging private consultants can certainly be assessed as a part of the review I have mentioned in my answer to the second part of this question. It must be borne in mind, however, that this alternative is likely to be an expensive option. The implication on the in-house M.S.A.U. Unit of employing private consultants simultaneously, would also need careful consideration. This could create difficulties and it would call for careful management in order to avoid duplication of effort. It would also add to the Department's task of directing the work of separately organized studies. Because the Department's in-house team is going to be strengthened shortly this may not be an opportune time to consider bringing in outside consultants for this work at this moment, but this need will be reviewed again towards the end of this year.

(Mr. Augustine S. K. CHUNG arrived at this point-2.44 p.m.)

MRS. LI (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, a few supplementary questions. Firstly, I would like to ask Dr. CHAM whether the Administration Select Committee has taken part or will actively take part in the re-organization of this unit?

DR. THE HONOURABLE Kim CHAM (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I do not quite understand the question. The Administration Select Committee early this year had considered possible areas which could be studied and this included cleansing, recreation, abattoirs, etc. At that time, we accepted the priority list drawn up by the Department.

MRS. LI (in Cantonese):-Dr. Kim CHAM may not understand my question. The department is now discussing with the Central Government with a view to further stepping up the strength of the Management Services and Audit Unit.

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