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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
examination of rental reduction is added. If circumstances permit, we will reduce the rentals with discretion but if we cannot afford it, we are not obliged to do so.
The Urban Council should act with dignity and be willing to shoulder responsibilities. We should find our own solution to cope with the deficit arising from freezing of charges or reduction of rentals. We could begin by cutting down on expenditure, such as shelving the Councillors' comprehensive or topical overseas visits and freezing or even reducing the Councillors' stipends. The costs of various activities, such as celebrations, ceremonies, receptions etc could be reduced. If there was still a deficit, we could make use of the prevailing fiscal reserves which is believed to be close to $2b. It is improper for us to contribute not a single cent and be generous at the expense of others.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support Ms. Jennifer CHOW's amended motion.
Mr. Lam Man-FAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman. I wish to put forth some views on behalf of those Councillors who are members of the DAB.
Influenced by the Asian financial crisis, the economy of Hong Kong is now on the downturn, with every trade suffering from poor business and the spending power diminishing. At this juncture, the Council should take the lead in not only freezing the various charges and licence fees, but also examining further the areas for reduction. For example, under the influence of the recession in retailing business and the avian flu, lessees of the markets and cooked food centres of the Urban Council are already suffering from poor business. In this connection, their rentals should be reduced so that they may continue to operate and tide over the difficulties. Let me cite an example of the market on Choi Hung Road, San Po Kong. The industrial area there is already very small and the number of workers has dropped considerably because of the industrial recession. With the opening of the Tai Shing Market, there are now two Markets on the same street. I think we should consider reducing the rentals of these shops substantially under such circumstances. I therefore support Ms. Jennifer CHOW's amended motion.
Why don't we support the other amended motions? There are two reasons. Firstly, Ms. CHOW's motion proposes to further examine the reduction of various charges. It does not mean reduction across the board. Just now members of the Democratic Party indicated that all the charges should be reduced. That is not what we are going to examine. What we should examine is the types of items for which reduction could be implemented or otherwise. Take the museums for example. The DAB has been advocating for free admission to these types of cultural facilities and to implement this gradually, free admission is now granted for Wednesdays initially. At a time when the economy is poor and the main concern is food and housing, the public's needs.
£654
Page 560
Page 561
Page 561 of 654
Page 560 of 654
or 654
Page 560 of 654
554
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
examination of rental reduction is added. If circumstances permit, we will reduce the rentals with discretion but if we cannot afford it, we are not obliged
to do so.
The Urban Council should act with dignity and be willing to shoulder responsibilities. We should find our own solution to cope with the deficit arising from freezing of charges or reduction of rentals. We could begin by cutting down on expenditure, such as shelving the Councillors' comprehensive or topical overseas visits and freezing or even reducing the Councillors' stipends. The costs of various activities, such as celebrations, ceremonies, receptions etc could be reduced. If there was still a deficit, we could make use of the prevailing fiscal reserves which is believed to be close to $2b. It is improper for us to contribute not a single cent and be generous at the expense of others.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support Ms. Jennifer CHOW's amended
motion.
Mr. Lam Man-FAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman. I wish to put forth some views on behalf of those Councillors who are members of the DAB.
Influenced by the Asian financial crisis, the economy of Hong Kong is now on the downturn, with every trade suffering from poor business and the spending power diminishing. At this juncture, the Council should take the lead in not only freezing the various charges and licence fees, but also examining further the areas for reduction. For example, under the influence of the recession in retailing business and the avian flu, lessees of the markets and cooked food centres of the Urban Council are already suffering from poor business. In this connection, their rentals should be reduced so that they may continue to operate and tide over the difficulties. Let me cite an example of the market on Choi Hung Road, San Po Kong. The industrial area there is already very small and the number of workers has dropped considerably because of the industrial recession. With the opening of the Tai Shing Market, there are now two Markets on the same street. I think we should consider reducing the rentals of these shops substantially under such circumstances. I therefore support Ms. Jennifer CHOW's amended motion,
Why don't we support the other amended motions? There are two reasons. Firstly, Ms. CHow's motion proposes to further examine the reduction of various charges. It does not mean reduction across the board. Just now members of the Democratic Party indicated that all the charges should be reduced. That is not what we are going to examine. What we should examine is the types of items for which reduction could be implemented or otherwise. Take the museums for example. The DAB has been advocating for free admission to these types of cultural facilities and to implement this gradually, free admission is now granted for Wednesdays initially. At a time when the economy is poor and the main concern is food and housing, the public's needs.
£654
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