1998 — Page 113

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 113 of 606

PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

135

The timing is in fact very appropriate. In the past decade or so, many people, including members of the political party I used to belong to (the Democratic Party), community leaders and politicians, have been clearly advocating that Hong Kong needs a change. Hong Kong does not need a three-tier structure. A two-tier one will be sufficient.

Some Members commented that getting the job done now is not being responsible. Even Hon. Ambrose CHEUNG considered that there was something wrong with the credibility of the Government. I consider that this statement is merely claptrap. In fact, it is exactly because of its sense of responsibility that the Government, realizing the problem of duplication of resources, presents the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations. I consider the timing to be absolutely appropriate. It is the first and foremost thing that has to be done after the reunification. I consider that the Government has taken a positive and responsible attitude. For it to present the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations at this very moment is absolutely appropriate. We should not accuse the Government of being irresponsible and undeserving of trust. I consider this to be a very crucial moment.

The second point is about the concept of 'One Council and One Department'. From what I gather from the public and as some Members mentioned just now, I consider this to be a temporary measure only which can hardly remove the structural conflicts. The idea of having one council, one department and three divisions might probably be another duplication of systems. We might simply be taking over systems that are outside the Council and claim the new structure thus created to be a new one. This would only bring about a more serious duplication of resources and hence more wastage. Could this possibly solve the problem of structural conflicts between the Council and the Department, which has been outstanding ever since 1994 (when I joined the Council)? The problem of the working relationship between the two remains unsolved so far. I doubt very much whether the concept of 'one council and one department' could solve the above problem of conflicts, because it is insoluble. Only structural changes could solve the problem. I doubt very much whether the idea of 'One Council and One Department' is the best solution for the problem, let alone the problem of duplication of systems. It is a very significant problem. If we cannot solve it, it will remain forever.

Thirdly, just now Ms. Christina TING mentioned that there seemed to be retrogression in democratization while other Members mentioned something about our powers being slashed. In fact, why haven't Members or political parties come forward and voiced their views? Take the proportional representation system for instance. Why didn't the political parties, except a couple of them, voice their dissatisfaction? Why didn't they accuse this of being retrogression in democratization then? It is exactly because we consider that there is a need to step up democracy in our community/district/regional organizations that elected members should be included in our district

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Page 113 of 606 Page 113 of 606 PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL 135 The timing is in fact very appropriate. In the past decade or so, many people, including members of the political party I used to belong to (the Democratic Party), community leaders and politicians, have been clearly advocating that Hong Kong needs a change. Hong Kong does not need a three-tier structure. A two-tier one will be sufficient. Some Members commented that getting the job done now is not being responsible. Even Hon. Ambrose CHEUNG considered that there was something wrong with the credibility of the Government. I consider that this statement is merely claptrap. In fact, it is exactly because of its sense of responsibility that the Government, realizing the problem of duplication of resources, presents the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations. I consider the timing to be absolutely appropriate. It is the first and foremost thing that has to be done after the reunification. I consider that the Government has taken a positive and responsible attitude. For it to present the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations at this very moment is absolutely appropriate. We should not accuse the Government of being irresponsible and undeserving of trust. I consider this to be a very crucial moment. The second point is about the concept of 'One Council and One Department'. From what I gather from the public and as some Members mentioned just now, I consider this to be a temporary measure only which can hardly remove the structural conflicts. The idea of having one council, one department and three divisions might probably be another duplication of systems. We might simply be taking over systems that are outside the Council and claim the new structure thus created to be a new one. This would only bring about a more serious duplication of resources and hence more wastage. Could this possibly solve the problem of structural conflicts between the Council and the Department, which has been outstanding ever since 1994 (when I joined the Council)? The problem of the working relationship between the two remains unsolved so far. I doubt very much whether the concept of 'one council and one department' could solve the above problem of conflicts, because it is insoluble. Only structural changes could solve the problem. I doubt very much whether the idea of 'One Council and One Department' is the best solution for the problem, let alone the problem of duplication of systems. It is a very significant problem. If we cannot solve it, it will remain forever. Thirdly, just now Ms. Christina TING mentioned that there seemed to be retrogression in democratization while other Members mentioned something about our powers being slashed. In fact, why haven't Members or political parties come forward and voiced their views? Take the proportional representation system for instance. Why didn't the political parties, except a couple of them, voice their dissatisfaction? Why didn't they accuse this of being retrogression in democratization then? It is exactly because we consider that there is a need to step up democracy in our community/district/regional organizations that elected members should be included in our district Page 113 of 606 Page 113 of 606

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Page 113 of 606 Page 113 of 606 PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL 135 The timing is in fact very appropriate. In the past decade or so, many people, including members of the political party I used to belong to (the IDemocratic Party), community leaders and politicians, have been clearly advocating that Hong Kong needs a change. Hong Kong does not need a three-tier structure. A two-tier one will be sufficient. Some Members commented that getting the job done now is (not) being responsible. Even Hon. Ambrose CHEUNG considered that there was something wrong with the credibility of the Government. I consider that this statement is merely claptrap. In fact, it is exactly because of its sense of responsibility that the Government, realizing the problem of duplication of resources, presents the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations. I consider the timing to be absolutely appropriate. It is the first and foremost thing that has to be done after the reunification. I consider that the Government has taken a positive and responsible attitude. For it to present the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations at this very moment is absolutely appropriate. We should not accuse the Government of being irresponsible and undeserving of trust. I consider this to be a very crucial moment. The second point is about the concept of 'One Council and One Department'. From what I gather from the public and as some Members mentioned just now, I consider this to be a temporary measure only which can hardly remove the structural conflicts. The idea of having one council, one department and three divisions might probably be another duplication of systems. We might simply be taking over systems that are outside the Council and claim the new structure thus created to be a new one. This would only bring about a more serious duplication of resources and hence more wastage. Could this possibly solve the problem of (structural) conflicts between the Council and the Department, which has been outstanding ever since 1994 (when I joined the Council)? The problem of the working relationship between the two remains unsolved so far. I doubt very much whether the concept of 'one council and one department' could solve the above problem of conflicts, because it is insoluble. Only structural changes could solve the problem. I doubt very much whether the idea of 'One Council and One Department' is the best solution for the problem, let alone the problem of duplication of systems. It is a very significant problem. If we cannot solve it, it will remain forever. Thirdly, just now Ms. Christina TING mentioned that there seemed to be retrogression in democratization while other Members mentioned something about our powers being slashed. In fact, why haven't Members or political parties come forward and voiced their views? Take the proportional representation system for instance. Why didn't the political parties, except a couple of them, voice their dissatisfaction? Why didn't they accuse this of being retrogression in democratization then? It is exactly because we consider that there is a need to step up democracy in our community/district/regional organizations that elected members should be included in our district Page 113 of 606 Page 113 of 606

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Page 113 of 606

PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

135

The timing is in fact very appropriate. In the past decade or so, many people, including members of the political party I used to belong to (the IDemocratic Party), community leaders and politicians, have been clearly advocating that Hong Kong needs a change. Hong Kong does not need a three-tier structure. A two-tier one will be sufficient.

Some Members commented that getting the job done now is (not) being responsible. Even Hon. Ambrose CHEUNG considered that there was something wrong with the credibility of the Government. I consider that this statement is merely claptrap. In fact, it is exactly because of its sense of responsibility that the Government, realizing the problem of duplication of resources, presents the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations. I consider the timing to be absolutely appropriate. It is the first and foremost thing that has to be done after the reunification. I consider that the Government has taken a positive and responsible attitude. For it to present the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations at this very moment is absolutely appropriate. We should not accuse the Government of being irresponsible and undeserving of trust. I consider this to be a very crucial

moment.

The second point is about the concept of 'One Council and One Department'. From what I gather from the public and as some Members mentioned just now, I consider this to be a temporary measure only which can hardly remove the structural conflicts. The idea of having one council, one department and three divisions might probably be another duplication of systems. We might simply be taking over systems that are outside the Council and claim the new structure thus created to be a new one. This would only bring about a more serious duplication of resources and hence more wastage. Could this possibly solve the problem of (structural) conflicts between the Council and the Department, which has been outstanding ever since 1994 (when I joined the Council)? The problem of the working relationship between the two remains unsolved so far. I doubt very much whether the concept of 'one council and one department' could solve the above problem of conflicts, because it is insoluble. Only structural changes could solve the problem. I doubt very much whether the idea of 'One Council and One Department' is the best solution for the problem, let alone the problem of duplication of systems. It is a very significant problem. If we cannot solve it, it will remain forever.

1998 — Page 113

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