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than the operational market value and therefore, no matter how serious the Council's financial difficulty is, the Council must not charge a rental in excess of the value. I therefore support the 30% reduction on the basis of the argument.
For today's motion, I wish to point out briefly that it is not easy to work out whether the fee payable by licensed hawkers should be based on the rental value in the same way as the market stalls. Nevertheless, to ensure equity, since we have helped the market traders, we should give equal treatment to the licensed hawkers of the Council, which should amount to 25,000, if I remember correctly. It is because of this that I support Ms. Ada Wong's motion on a 30% reduction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. TOMMY CHEUNG YU-YAN (in Cantonese):—May I first declare my interests. The company managed by me owns a liquor licence issued by the Council. If the motion is carried, my company will achieve a savings of $1,696.
Mr. Chairman, having declared my interests, I wish to talk about the present economic downturn, the poor situation of all the businesses, the weak market, the rising rate of unemployment, the increasing number of companies winding up.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese).—Mr. Chairman, under Standing Order 25(1), any Member who has direct interests shall withdraw from the meeting. It does not mention that he can join the discussion.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—I am discussing with the Secretary whether he has the right to vote, but as far as the right to speak is concerned, aside from the savings of $1,696, he is a representative of the trade. I consider that he is a good representative of the trade. He speaks on behalf of the trade and maybe it was in the capacity of the food sector that he became an Urban Councillor. I consider that he may speak, but whether voting should be made in consideration of his speech is another question. What I have to consider now is whether he has the right to vote. As for the right to speak, I think he is entitled to it.
MR. TOMMY CHEUNG YU-YAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I don't mind not being allowed to speak, because it is my original intention to declare that I would abstain from voting. May I ask the Chairman whether he wants me to withdraw from the meeting?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Good, this arrangement would make it easier for me to handle the proceedings of the meeting. He may remain in his seat without speaking.
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than the operational market value and therefore, no matter how serious the Council's financial difficulty is, the Council must not charge a rental in excess of the value. I therefore support the 30% reduction on the basis of the argument.
For today's motion, I wish to point out briefly that it is not easy to work out whether the fee payable by licensed hawkers should be based on the rental value in the same way as the market stalls. Nevertheless, to ensure equity, since we have helped the market traders, we should give equal treatment to the licensed hawkers of the Council, which should amount to 25 000, if I remember correctly. It is because of this that I support Ms. Ada Wong's motion on a 30% reduction. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. TOMMY CHEUNG YU-YAN (in Cantonese):-May I first declare my interests. The company managed by me owns a liquor licence issued by the Council. If the motion is carried, my company will achieve a savings of $1,696.
Mr. Chairman, having declared my interests, I wish to talk about the present economic downturn, the poor situation of all the businesses, the weak market, the rising rate of unemployment, the increasing number of companies winding
up
Mr. Lai Hok-LIM (in Cantonese).—Mr. Chairman, under Standing Order 25(1), any Member who has direct interests shall withdraw from the meeting. It does not mention that he can join the discussion.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—I am discussing with the Secretary whether he has the right to vote, but as far as the right to speak is concerned, aside from the savings of $1,696, he is a representative of the trade. I consider that he is a good representative of the trade. He speaks on behalf of the trade and maybe it was in the capacity of the food sector that he became an Urban Councillor. I consider that he may speak, but whether voting should be made in consideration of his speech is another question. What I have to consider now is whether he has the right to vote. As for the right to speak, I think he is entitled to it.
MR. TOMMY Cheung Yu-yan (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I don't mind not being allowed to speak, because it is my original intention to declare that I would abstain from voting. May I ask the Chairman whether he wants me to withdraw from the meeting?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Good, this arrangement would make it easier for me to handle the proceedings of the meeting. He may remain in his seat without speaking.
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