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this point so far, In fact, not all the rates revenue goes to the Urban Council. Today's debate could in fact serve to clarify this wrong accusation that since the rates revenue goes entirely to the Urban Council, it could not be reduced or else the Council's services would be affected. I consider this to be a very good chance to clarify the issue adequately. Although it is not directly related to the Council's functions, it has in a way to do with the Council. I hope the Chairman will carefully consider allowing the motion to be debated.
'CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—As I have just mentioned, it is the majority, not me, who are going to decide whether the motion should be debated. I leave it to you all to make the decision to embody the spirit of democracy.
As to the way to identify those issues which fall within the Council's jurisdiction, it is already stipulated in Sections 24 and 25 of the Ordinance.
As to the need to rule out any more exceptions, I will stick to my duties. I will be very strict about all future motions. Whether the proposer is a political party or an individual, I will make my ruling in a fair and honest manner. Matters which should not be debated will be forbidden and the line will be clearly demarcated.
Let us do it this way. There are Members for and there are Members against the debate. I think we should cast votes on it. I will abstain from voting.
All right. Let us vote now. If the debate is voted for, we will continue with the debate. Members of the public know very well that not all the rates revenue goes to the Urban Council. Only 2.6% goes to the Council while 2.4% goes to the treasury. I am sure both the public and the media are well aware of this. Let us cast votes on whether the motion should be debated before putting forth our views further, all right?
Mr. Daniel To Boon-man (in Cantonese):—Clarification is sought. Part of the speech of the Chairman is not correct. What goes to the Urban Council and the treasury is 2.6 of 5 and 2.4 of 5 respectively rather than 2.5%. This must be clarified. Would the Chairman please consult the legal advisor? I am very sure about this.
MR. CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. To, you are only expressing the figures in fractions. 2.6 of 5 and 2.4 of 5 are equivalent to percentages. It is only a matter of fractions and percentages.
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, what are we voting on? I wish to ask the Chairman based on which Standing Order the question is put, since the motion has been proposed and included in the agenda of the monthly meeting, Mr. Chairman, may I ask based on which Standing Order the motion is rejected? I don't know what wordings you have used in forbidding the motion from being moved. I want to be enlightened as to why we should cast
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this point so far, In fact, not all the rates revenue goes to the Urban Council. Today's debate could in fact serve to clarify this wrong accusation that since the rates revenue goes entirely to the Urban Council, it could not be reduced or else the Council's services would be affected. I consider this to be a very tgood chance to clarify the issue adequately. Although it is not directly related Ito the Council's functions, it has in a way to do with the Council. I hope the
Chairman will carefully consider allowing the motion to be debated.
'CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese);—As I have just mentioned, it is the majority, not me, who are going to decide whether the motion should be debated. I leave it to you all to make the decision to embody the spirit of democracy.
As to the way to identify those issues which fall within the Council's jurisdiction, it is already stipulated in Sections 24 and 25 of the Ordinance.
As to the need to rule out any more exceptions, I will stick to my duties. I will be very strict about all future motions. Whether the proposer is a political party or an individual, I will make my ruling in a fair and honest manner. Matters which should not be debated will be forbidden and the line will be clearly demarcated.
Let us do it this way. There are Members for and there are Members against the debate. I think we should cast votes on it. I will abstain from voting.
All right. Let us vote now. If the debate is voted for, we will continue with the debate. Members of the public know very well that not all the rates revenue goes to the Urban Council. Only 2.6% goes to the Council while 2.4% goes to the treasury. I am sure both the public and the media are well aware of this. Let us cast votes on whether the motion should be debated before putting forth our views further, all right?
Mr. Daniel To Boon-man (in Cantonese):—Clarification is sought. Part of the speech of the Chairman is not correct. What goes to the Urban Council and the treasury is 2.6 of 5 and 2.4 of 5 respectively rather than 2.5%. This must be clarified. Would the Chairman please consult the legal advisor? I am very sure about this.
MR. CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. To, you are only expressing the figures in fractions. 2.6% plus 2.4% equals to 5%. It is only a matter of fractions and percentages.
MR. KAM NAI-WA1 (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, what are we voting on? I wish to ask the Chairman based on which Standing Order the question is put, since the motion has been proposed and included in the agenda of the monthly meeting, Mr. Chairman, may I ask based on which Standing Order the motion is rejected? I don't know what wordings you have used in forbidding the motion from being moved. I want to be enlightened as to why we should cast
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