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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Firstly, on 9 May 1995, DAB members raised the issue of the aggravating problem of illegal hawkers. Apart from urging the Urban Services Department to control the hawkers, they urged the Government to abolish the policy on importation of labour. It was stated clearly in the resolution that part of the issue involved the Council's functions while part involved central policies. Then the Chairman of the Council allowed the motion to be debated.
Secondly, about the collection of rates, everyone knows that it is the Council's source of income. Although it is a 3-year provision allocated in one lump sum, it has to be converted into a rates percentage charge through a legislative process, whereby a motion has to be moved at the Legislative Council and be carried. Under such circumstances, there is a close relationship between the rates percentage charge and the Urban Council's income. We therefore do not agree that as they are two separate issues, the motion should not be debated.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, I support your view.
This is because it is not within the Council's ambit to increase, freeze or reduce rates. Even if we wanted to urge the Government to reduce the rates charge, it would be more appropriate to raise the issue at the Provisional Legislative Council. It is not appropriate to raise it in this Council.
The first part of the original motion is to urge the Government to freeze or reduce rates. If this first part had not been there, the second part would not have existed at all, that is, there would not have been the possibility for it to exist. The second part, which reads 'the Council will act correspondingly to show support on the principle that the services provided to the public will not be affected', exists merely on the strength of the first part, which is to urge the Government to reduce rates. Accordingly, I consider that the main issue lies in the first part of the motion. Mr. Chairman, as the Chinese saying goes, 'one should act according to one's position'. To discuss matters within the Council's ambit is the most appropriate thing to do. Of course, we could urge the Government to do anything, but, Mr. Chairman, I don't think it is appropriate to discuss this issue at today's monthly meeting. The Annual Conventional Debate might be a better forum. It would be more appropriate to discuss matters outside the Council's ambit, or put a question to the vote on other occasions. I therefore consider the Chairman's proposal to be in line with the Council's ambit and the Council's Standing Orders. Mr. Chairman, I consider that we should vote on this. I don't think this motion should be debated at the Council's monthly meeting.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):- I wish to point out that there are some technical problems in the way the Chairman handles this issue.
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Tage 544 of 654
538
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Firstly, on 9 May 1995, DAB members raised the issue of the aggravating problem of illegal hawkers. Apart from urging the Urban Services Department to control the hawkers, they urged the Government to abolish the policy on importation of labour. It was stated clearly in the resolution that part of the issue involved the Council's functions while part involved central policies. Then the Chairman of the Council allowed the motion to be debated.
Secondly, about the collection of rates, everyone knows that it is the Council's source of income. Although it is a 3-year provision allocated in one lump sum, it has to be converted into a rates percentage charge through a legislative process, whereby a motion has to be moved at the Legislative Council and be carried. Under such circumstances, there is a close relationship between the rates percentage charge and the Urban Council's income. We therefore do not agree that as they are two separate issues, the motion should not be debated.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I support your view.
This is because it is not within the Council's ambit to increase, freeze or reduce rates. Even if we wanted to urge the Government to reduce the rates charge, it would be more appropriate to raise the issue at the Provisional Legislative Council. It is not appropriate to raise it in this Council.
The first part of the original motion is to urge the Government to freeze or reduce rates. If this first part had not been there, the second part would not have existed at all, that is, there would not have been the possibility for it to exist. The second part, which reads 'the Council will act correspondingly 10 show support on the principle that the services provided to the public will not be affected", exists merely on the strength of the first part, which is to urge the Government to reduce rates. Accordingly. I consider that the main issue lies in the first part of the motion. Mr. Chairman, as the Chinese saying goes, 'one should act according to one's position'. To discuss matters within the Council's ambit is the most appropriate thing to do. Of course, we could urge the Government to do anything, but, Mr. Chairman, I don't think it is appropriate to discuss this issue at today's monthly meeting. The Annual Conventional Debate might be a better forum. It would be more appropriate to discuss matters outside the Council's ambit, or put a question to the vote on other occasions. I therefore consider the Chairman's proposal to be in line with the Council's ambit and the Council's Standing Orders. Mr. Chairman, I consider that we should vote on this. I don't think this motion should be debated at the Council's monthly meeting.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):- I wish to point out that there are some technical problems in the way the Chairman handles this issue.
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