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therefore absolutely disagree with his statement that the structure would be too cumbersome after the merge of the two departments.
Hence I will formally move that my motion be voted on. I consider that there must be a consensus among us, whether Members support my motion, or whether they need to think twice, or whether adjournment discussion is warranted. I must add though that my motion does not call for a full direct election, because we should accommodate each other's differences over this common goal. I have never, as some Members have claimed, stated my views on direct election. I have never discussed this point. Whether there should be direct election and how the municipal councils should merge with the district boards, they are matters that need to materialize gradually. They are the next step and the next operation. We doctors sometimes have to undertake a major operation in two phases. The second phase of operation will be performed only after recuperation from the first phase. I am in favour of a gradual implementation. I do not object to the merge of the municipal councils and the district boards and the establishment of a two-tier representative government. The Government has proposed the resumption of the duties of food safety and environmental hygiene by one single government department and as a counter-proposal, we propose that it is correct to have one single government overseeing these areas because it is not correct to have too many departments managing one single area. I have therefore for the time being proposed the structure of "One Council and One Department" to handle the problem. As to the reformation of the municipal councils and the district boards and the issue of direct election, they could be dealt with later in detail in the context of the overall constitutional development. Would Members please consider this?
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I fully agree with your position, but procedurally, I consider that there might be difficulties if we were to vote immediately on your amended motion. What we can do now is to vote on your written motion, but if you feel there is a need to establish a clear-cut position on the 'One Council and One Department' concept, you may have to induce the Council to suspend the Standing Order concerned and then put forth your motion in writing or in more formal wording. It is only then that we can vote on your new motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): This is only a matter of procedure. Our ultimate goal now is for Members who are present today to reach a consensus so that our representatives in the Legislative Council may present our stance to the Legislative Council, and members of the public, especially Legislative Councillors of other political parties, may appreciate our consensus and its rationale. A lot of the arguments have been explained. I consider that we should have the political audacity to present clearly our stance.
We will now vote on my written motion, which reads 'Having regard to the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations published by the
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therefore absolutely disagree with his statement that the structure would be too cumbersome after the merge of the two departments.
Hence I will formally move that my motion be voted on. I consider that there must be a consensus among us, whether Members support my motion, or whether they need to think twice, or whether adjournment discussion is warranted. I must add though that my motion does not call for a full direct clection, because we should accommodate each other's differences over this common goal. I have never, as some Members have claimed, stated my views on direct election. I have never discussed this point. Whether there should be direct election and how the municipal councils should merge with the district boards, they are matters that need to materialize gradually. They are the next step and the next operation. We doctors sometimes have to undertake a major operation in two phases. The second phase of operation will be performed only after recuperation from the first phase. I am in favour of a gradual implementation. I do not object to the merge of the municipal councils and the district boards and the establishment of a two-tier representative government. The Government has proposed the resumption of the duties of food safety and environmental hygiene by one single government department and as a counter- proposal, we propose that it is correct to have one single government overseeing these areas because it is not correct to have too many departments managing one single area. I have therefore for the time being proposed the structure of "One Council and One Department" to handle the problem. As to the reformation of the municipal councils and the district boards and the issue of direct election, they could be dealt with later in detail in the context of the overall constitutional development. Would Members please consider this?
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I fully agree with your position, but procedurally, I consider that there might be difficulties if we were to vote immediately on your amended motion. What we can do now is to vote on your written motion, but if you feel there is a need to establish a clear-cut position on the 'One Council and One Department' concept, you may have to induce the Council to suspend the Standing Order concerned and then put forth your motion in writing or in more formal wording. It is only then that we can vote on your new motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-This is only a matter of procedure. Our ultimate goal now is for Members who are present today to reach a consensus so that our representatives in the Legislative Council may present our stance to the Legislative Council, and members of the public, especially Legislative Councillors of other political parties, may appreciate our consensus and its rationale. A lot of the arguments have been explained. I consider that we should have the political audacity to present clearly our stance.
We will now vote on my written motion, which reads 'Having regard to the Consultation Document on Review of District Organizations published by the
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