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the inevitable relationship between the Council and the two government departments.
Lastly, I would like to mention again the issue of the loan of works of art to outsiders. When we brought up this subject, most Councillors were of the opinion that we were making much ado about trivialities. Nevertheless, after discussion, we came to a conclusion. Recently, I had an opportunity to revisit Government House. At that time, I wanted to see if one of the basic and simplest requirements made by our Committee was met, that is, I wanted to see if there were labels on the loaned works of art to certify that they had been loaned or donated by the Urban Council. I walked through the entire conference room, the main hall, and the dining hall of Government House, but I could not find any works of art which bore the label indicating that it was on loan from the Urban Council. Unless His Excellency kept those works of art in the toilet or in his private collection room on the first floor, there was no reason why I should fail to see the works of art donated by the Urban Council. The second point is that the Committee made a requirement but deliberately did not follow it up. That requirement was to ask the departmental authorities to submit a report on the display or storage locations of the works of art on loan to the Chief Secretary and the Governor in order to find out whether or not those works of art were properly preserved. I do not know if other Councillors have received documents from the department, but I have yet to receive them. Many people deem it reasonable to loan works of art to the Governor and the Chief Secretary, for it will enable the works of art to see the light of day again. That is true, but should works of art be privatized? Government House has not dealt with loaned works of art in accordance with the requirements set last time by the Committee. I hope that the Museums Select Committee will take resolute action following the discussion today.
The above are my remarks.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): Thank you. In accordance with the decision of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, I will exercise my right of reply at the next meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday, 11 February 1997. That concludes the business today and the meeting is now adjourned. The Council will resume its meeting at 2:30 pm on 11 February 1997 (Tuesday).
Adjournment: 5:43 p.m.
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the inevitable relationship between the Council and the two government departments.
Lastly, I would like to mention again the issue of the loan of works of art to outsiders. When we brought up this subject, most Councillors were of the opinion that we were making much ado about trivialities. Nevertheless, after discussion, we came to a conclusion. Recently, I had an opportunity to revisit Government House. At that time, I wanted to see if one of the basic and simplest requirements made by our Committee was met, that is, I wanted to see if there were labels on the loaned works of art to certify that they had been loaned or donated by the Urban Council. I walked through the entire conference room, the main hall, and the dining hall of Government House, but I could not find any works of art which bore the label indicating that it was on loan from the Urban Council. Unless His Excellency kept those works of art in the toilet or in his private collection room on the first floor, there was no reason why I should fail to see the works of art donated by the Urban Council. The second point is that the Committee made a requirement but deliberately did not follow it up. That requirement was to ask the departmental authorities to submit a report on the display or storage locations of the works of art on loan to the Chief Secretary and the Governor in order to find out whether or not those works of art were properly preserved. I do not know if other Councillors have received documents from the department, but I have yet to receive them. Many people deem it reasonable to loan works of art to the Governor and the Chief Secretary, for it will enable the works of art to see the light of day again. That is true, but should works of art be privatized? Government House has not dealt with loaned works of art in accordance with the requirements set last time by the Committee. I hope that the Museums Select Committee will take resolute action following the discussion today.
The above are my remarks.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Thank you. In accordance with the decision of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, I will exercise my right of reply at the next meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday, 11 February 1997. That concludes the business today and the meeting is now adjourned. The Council will resume its meeting at 2 30 pm on 11 February 1997 (Tuesday).
Adjournment: 5.43 p.m.
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