Page 311 of 485
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24
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
What I would like to point out is that some of the above problems are structural, some are mistakes in policies and some are the results of sticking to old practices. However, so far there have been no ad hoc groups or Select Committees to follow up and monitor the problems. How much tax-payers' money have we actually wasted? I think it is necessary to set up an internal vetting panel to study and monitor the use of resources so as to avoid wasting public money.
On environmental protection work, many Urban Councillors in the present term and in the past have put forward a number of suggestions, which, however, have not been earnestly implemented. Now, it is time for a 'Green Revolution'. DR. Sun Yat-sen, a great revolutionist, said, ‘To launch a revolution, the first thing one needs is money, and the second is also money'. Therefore, I suggest that the Council set an indicator for expenditure on environmental protection. In doing so, we should first ascertain the Council's current expenditure in this area, and then set the indicator, i.e., a certain percentage of the Council's expenditure to be used on environmental protection work, in the light of the Green Management in each financial year.
Environment protection work is not just shouting slogans, we have to pay a price too.
Finally, I would like to say something about the use of Chinese in the Council. In less than two years, China will resume sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. The Government has already promulgated a series of measures to promote the use of Chinese with the aim of encouraging wider use of the language in communications among Government departments. In view of this, I hope the Council will keep pace with the times and use Chinese in all its documents. I believe that wider use of Chinese by the Department will not only lighten the workload of the Council Secretariat, but also help enhance the efficiency of both the Secretariat and the Department. The Democratic Party hopes that the Council can implement the policy of fully using Chinese in this financial year.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Chan Yuen-YUE (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, how time flies! Here is the Annual Debate again. 1996 has just begun. May I first wish all my colleagues good health and success in their work. This is my second Annual Conventional Debate.
As Chairman of the Review Select Committee, I would like to look back on the Committee's work in the past year. After receiving from the Department papers on a review case, Members have to hear the applicant's explanations before deciding whether the licence application should be approved. The existing method of review requires Members to examine various aspects such as records of the freezing surveys and financial positions of the applicants. To date I have not heard of any complaints from Members in this respect but, personally, I do think that the procedure should be revamped so as to facilitate the review.
Page 311 of 485
185
Page 311 of 485
-1485
24
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
What I would like to point out is that some of the above problems are structural, some are mistakes in policies and some are the results of sticking to old practices. However, so far there have been no ad hoc groups or Select Committees to follow up and monitor the problems. How much tax-payers'money have we actually wasted? I think it is necessary to set up an internal vetting panel to study and monitor the use of resources so as to avoid wasting public money.
On environmental protection work, many Urban Councillors in the present term and in the past have put forward a number of suggestions, which, however, have not been earnestly implemented. Now, it is time for a 'Green Revolution'. DR. Sun Yat-sen, a great revolutionist, said, ‘To launch a revolution, the first thing one needs is money, and the second is also money'. Therefore, I suggest that the Council set an indicator for expenditure on environmental protection. In doing so, we should first ascertain the Council's current expenditure in this area, and then set the indicator, i.e., a certain percentage of the Council's expenditure to be used on environmental protection work, in the light of the Green Management in each financial year.
Environment protection work is not just shouting slogans, we have to pay a price
too.
Finally, I would like to say something about the use of Chinese in the Council. In less than two years, China will resume sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. The Government has already promulgated a series of measures to promote the use of Chinese with the aim of encouraging wider use of the language in communications among Government departments. In view of this, I hope the Council will keep pace with the times and use Chinese in all its documents. I believe that wider use of Chinese by the Department will not only lighten the workload of the Council Secretariat, but also help enhance the efficiency of both the Secretariat and the Department. The Democratic Party hopes that the Council can implement the policy of fully using Chinese in this financial year.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Chan Nol-YUE (în Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, how time flies! Here is the Annual Debate again. 1996 has just begun. May I first wish all my colleagues good health and success in their work. This is my second Annual Conventional Debate.
As Chairman of the Review Select Committee, I would like to look back on the Committee's work in the past year. After receiving from the Department papers on a review case, Members have to hear the applicant's explanations before deciding whether the licence application should be approved. The existing method of review requires Members to examine various aspects such as records of the freezing surveys and financial positions of the applicants. To date I have not heard of any complaints from Members in this respect but, personally, I do think that the procedure should be revamped so as to facilitate the review.
Page 311 of 485
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