HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
553
Chairman (in Cantonese):-Thank you. The names of those Members who wish to speak on Ms. Jennifer CHOW's amended motion are shown on the computer screen. Would they please speak in turn......
Mr. Lai Hok-LIM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it should be in the form of mixed discussion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Yes, we should speak on all the amended motions and the original motion. Each Member can speak only once, Would Mr. Chan Noi-yue please speak on all the amended motions and the original motion?
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as it is generally recognized, Hong Kong is now suffering from an economic recession because of the Asian financial turmoil. The market situation is weak, trades of all types are suffering from poor business, a lot of companies and shops are closing down and the rate of unemployment is rising. Those who are affected range from hawkers to traders. I went to some markets recently for inspection and survey and am concerned for the business of the markets and stalls of the Council. There are two important sentences that speak their mind and they are, 'Business is poor. It is not easy to make a living.”
I am deeply sympathetic with them. I am sure my colleagues share my feelings. They said that their business had dropped 50-60% and in some cases, 70% over the corresponding period last year. In order to help the general traders continue their operation, I support the third amended motion moved by Ms. Jennifer CHOW. These were my remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, at the meeting of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee held on 21 January, I recommended that the various charges of the Council be frozen. As my recommendation was supported by Members, who moved motions on it. I should be very happy and grateful to them. However, when I received the first amended motion proposed by Mr. Wong Chung-ki of the Democratic Party, I felt very ashamed. The Urban Council has turned into a mercenary Council. It is simply trying to steal the limelight at the expense of others. It is using others' money to pass for a philanthropist. It is a pity that the Council should be reduced to such a shameful state.
When I received the second amended motion, I was expecting some new ideas. I was disappointed to find that it only added the proposal of rental reduction to the first amended motion proposed by Mr. Wong Chung-ki of the Democratic Party, Again, the money needed is borrowed.
As for the third amended motion, I consider that it does not run contrary to the original motion. The only difference is that a proposal for further
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
553
Chairman (in Cantonese):-Thank you. The names of those Members who wish to speak on Ms. Jennifer CHOW's amended motion are shown on the computer screen. Would they please speak in turn......
Mr. Lai Hok-LIM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it should be in the form of mixed discussion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Yes, we should speak on all the amended motions and the original motion. Each Member can speak only once, Would Mr. Chan Noi-yue please speak on all the amended motions and the original motion?
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as it is generally recognized, Hong Kong is now suffering from an economic recession because of the Asian financial turmoil. The market situation is weak, trades of all types are suffering from poor business, a lot of companies and shops are closing down and the rate of unemployment is rising. Those who are affected range from hawkers to traders. I went to some markets recently for inspection and survey and am concerned for the business of the markets and stalls of the Council. There are two important sentences that speak their mind and they are, 'Business is poor. It is not easy to make a living.”
I am deeply sympathetic with them. I am sure my colleagues share my feelings. They said that their business had dropped 50-60% and in some cases. 70% over the corresponding period last year. In order to help the general traders continue their operation, I support the third amended motion moved by Ms. Jennifer CHOW. These were my remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, at the meeting of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee held on 21 January, I recommended that the various charges of the Council be frozen. As my recommendation was supported by Members, who moved motions on it. I should be very happy and grateful to them. However, when I received the first amended motion proposed by Mr. Wong Chung-ki of the Democratic Party, I felt very ashamed. The Urban Council has turned into a mercenary Council. It is simply trying to steal the limelight at the expense of others. It is using others' money to pass for a philanthropist. It is a pity that the Council should be reduced to such a shameful state.
When I received the second amended motion, I was expecting some new ideas. I was disappointed to find that it only added the proposal of rental reduction to the first amended motion proposed by Mr. Wong Chung-ki of the Democratic Party, Again, the money needed is borrowed.
As for the third amended motion, I consider that it does not run contrary to the original motion. The only difference is that a proposal for further
Page 559 of 654
Page 559 of 654
Page 559 of 654
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