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implement our work. At present, there are no co-opted members in any of our Select Committees.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): –What about the second question concerning the timing for consideration if it is regarded too hasty to introduce co-opted members today?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—I am aware of members' concerns. The Administration Select Committee will in the near future discuss this. As I said earlier, this Council has just been re-constituted since April this year and there is not enough time for us to consider the matter in great detail. So we need more time for in-depth discussion.
Mr. Chan Choi-HI (in Cantonese):—It seems that Mr. Suen cannot answer my question on precisely when co-opted members will be introduced to Select Committees.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. SUEN said that the Select Committee would consider the matter. After the Select Committee has considered the matter then he can tell you the timetable.
Mr. Chan Kwok-LEUNG (in Cantonese):—Last year we had a seminar with the cultural community. They hoped that a representative could be co-opted to the Council's Culture Select Committee so as to present the views of the cultural community. They were told at that time that the Council would be reconstituted from April this year hence no decision was taken. Now it is said that it is too early to introduce co-opted members. I would like to ask whether we would sincerely consider co-opting representatives from the cultural community to give us advice or we are going to delay the matter?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—The Urban Council has been very positive in listening to the views of the community. The question of when and which Committee should outsiders be co-opted as members has to be decided by the whole Council from an overall perspective. It does not mean that our minds are closed if we do not have any co-opted member in our Select Committees. We have sufficient channels in consulting the public as mentioned by Mr. CHAN earlier. In the past we did have seminars discussing matters with the representatives of the cultural community. To cite a specific example, what are the criteria for co-opting representatives from the cultural community? Can a particular person be truly representative of the whole cultural community in the whole territory? These are matters that need careful consideration. So the Administration Select Committee will consider the matter in detail and make recommendations to the Council as the decision rests with the whole Council.
Mr. Eric Wong CHUNG-KI (in Cantonese):—I would like to ask a question on appropriateness and timing. If an individual Select Committee finds it appropriate to co-opt members, can that Select Committee make a decision on its own?
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implement our work. At present, there are no co-opted members in any of our Select Committees.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): –What about the second question concerning the timing for consideration if it is regarded too hasty to introduce co-opted members today?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—1 am aware of members' concerns. The Administration Select Committee will in the near future discuss this. As I said earlier, this Council has just been re-constituted since April this year and there is not enough time for us to consider the matter in great detail. So we need more time for in depth discussion.
Mr. Chan Choi-HI (in Cantonese):—It seems that Mr. Sven cannot answer my question on precisely when co-opted members will be introduced 10 Select Committees.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. SUEN said that the Select Committee would consider the matter. After the Select Committee has considered the matter then he can tell you the timetable.
Mr. Chan Kwok-LEUNG (in Cantonese);—Last year we had a seminar with the cultural community. They hoped that a representative could be co-opted to the Council's Culture Select Committee so as to present the views of the cultural community. They were told at that time that the Council would be reconstituted from April this year hence no decision was taken. Now it is said that it is too early to introduce co-opted members. I would like to ask whether we would sincerely consider co-opting representatives from the cultural community to give us advice or we are going to delay the matter?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-The Urban Council has been very positive in listening to the views of the community. The question of when and which Committee should outsiders be co-opted as members has to be decided by the whole Council from an overali perspective. It does not mean that our minds are closed if we do not have any co-opted member in our Select Committees. We have sufficient channels in consulting the public as mentioned by Mr. CHAN earlier. In the past we did have seminars discussing matters with the representatives of the cultural community. To cite a specific example, what are the criteria for co-opting representatives from the cultural community? Can a particular person be truly representative of the whole cultural community in the whole territory? These are matters that need careful consideration. So the Administration Select Committee will consider the matter in detail and make recommendations to the Council as the decision rests with the whole Council.
Mr. Eric Wong CHUNG-KI (in Cantonese):—I would like to ask a question on uppropriateness and timing. If an individual Select Committee finds it appropriate to co-opt members, can that Select Committee make a decision on its own?
Page 38 of 485
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