HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
247
Urban Services Department as well as enhance service qualities. Of course, after the diagnosis, a series of proposals will be presented by the experts. It will then be for us Members of the Council to decide which proposals to be implemented. The proposals are for our reference only. The way to implement proposals and whether to do so by stage will be decided by us with our wisdom after taking into consideration the actual circumstances of staff of different grades in the Urban Services Department.
So, there is no need for worries. The situation of outsiders making decisions for us to implement will not arise. The outsiders will give their expert opinions for our consideration, so that the decisions made at our meetings will become more meaningful and more constructive. Thank you.
Mr. Wong Kwok-hing (in Cantonese):—It was not my intention to speak today. However, after listening to the speech by a member of the Democratic Party who mentioned the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir three times as an example to support the motion, I feel I must speak.
I think that the spirit of review should not be for the sake of review. We should look at each policy of the Select Committees of the Urban Council and study the overall effects, measures and relevant problems connected with the policy. Take for instance the matter of the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir as mentioned by the Democratic Party, they want to cut one pig slaughtering line and they are of the opinion that it is best to suspend the operation of the Abattoir at this juncture.
In fact, this matter should not be over-simplified or solved in a simplified way. We have to consider the supply of fresh pork and see if simple suspension will affect the livelihood of our people. We also have to evaluate the problem with suspension of the Abattoir or cutting of one pig-slaughtering line. In fact, the Department has conducted studies and come up with an option for discussion at meetings of the Public Health Select Committee. If discussions at the meetings are not described as effective and useful, I think you are challenging the wisdom of the entire Select Committee and I think it is a contempt.
I am perturbed. Members of the Democratic Party also sit on the Public Health Select Committee. Are you saying that the collective wisdom of the Committee is not enough to study this matter? This matter is about a specialized field. Even if we conduct an overall review, what are we going to do about it? I feel that we cannot expect a comprehensive review on manpower and organizational structure to solve problems. We have to study matters from the point of the effects, measures and practical impact of any one policy decision. I therefore do not support the original motion.
I think that we should make substantive policy decisions on the basis of facts and individual circumstances. Someone has suggested that if we conduct an
Page 252 of 498
Page 252 of 498
Page 252 of 498
Page 252 of 498
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
247
Urban Services Department as well as enhance service qualities. Of course, after the diagnosis, a series of proposals will be presented by the experts. It will then be for us Members of the Council to decide which proposals to be implemented. The proposals are for our reference only. The way to implement proposals and whether to do so by stage will be decided by us with our wisdom after taking into consideration the actual circumstances of staff of different grades in the Urban Services Department.
So, there is no need for worries. The situation of outsiders making decisions for us to implement will not arise. The outsiders will give their expert opinions for our consideration, so that the decisions made at our meetings will become more meaningful and more constructive. Thank you.
Mr. Wong Kwok-hing (in Cantonese):—It was not my intention to speak today. However, after listening to the speech by a member of the Democratic Party who mentioned the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir three times as an example to support the motion, I feel I must speak.
I think that the spirit of review should not be for the sake of review. We should look at each policy of the Select Committees of the Urban Council and study the overall effects, measures and relevant problems connected with the policy. Take for instance the matter of the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir as mentioned by the Democratic Party, they want to cut one pig slaughtering line and they are of the opinion that it is best to suspend the operation of the Abattoir at this juncture.
In fact, this matter should not be over-simplified or solved in a simplified way. We have to consider the supply of fresh pork and see if simple suspension will affect the livelihood of our people. We also have to evaluate the problem with suspension of the Abattoir or cutting of one pig-slaughtering line. In fact, the Department has conducted studies and come up with an option for discussion at meetings of the Public Health Select Committee. If discussions at the meetings are not described as effective and useful, I think you are challenging the wisdom of the entire Select Committee and I think it is a contempt.
I am perturbed. Members of the Democratic Party also sit on the Public Health Select Committee. Are you saying that the collective wisdom of the Committee is not enough to study this matter? This matter is about a specialized field. Even if we conduct an overall review, what are we going to do about it? I feel that we cannot expect a comprehensive review on manpower and organizational structure to solve problems. We have to study matters from the point of the effects, measures and practical impact of any one policy decision. I therefore do not support the original motion.
I think that we should make substantive policy decisions on the basis of facts and individual circumstances. Someone has suggested that if we conduct an
Page 252 of 498
Page 252 of 498
Page 252 of 498
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.