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As to the amendment moved by Mr. Eric WONG that the Council should reduce the rental of commercial tenants paying basic rent by 30% for one year and review the position when the period expires*, it is in fact in line with my original motion in spirit and therefore I will support it. I earnestly hope that the original or amended motion will be carried today to ease the hardship of the people.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I beg to move.
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I support Mr. Chiang's motion and second it.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—The motion has been moved by a Member and seconded by another. As Mr. Eric WONG has moved amendments to Mr. CHIANG'S original motion under Standing Order 21(12A), would Mr. Wong move his amended motion and speak?
(4)(b) Mr. Eric Wong Chung-ki moved an amended motion under Standing Order 21(12A) as follows: —
In view of the present economic downturn and business difficulties in Hong Kong, RESOLVED that the Council reduce the rental of commercial tenants paying basic rent at the Council's recreation sites, cultural and entertainment venues and museums by 30% for one year and review the position when the period expires.'
He said (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman and colleagues, over the past year, Hong Kong has encountered enormous financial hardship. The Government's economic forecast has been revised continuously from a low growth to the present negative growth. The overall economic environment is very worrying indeed. Workers are worried lest they might lose their job the next day while businessmen are worried about their business. In such an adverse economic condition, both the community and the Legislative Council expect that the Government will take the lead in doing something to create good economic environment, to provide employment opportunities and to cut down on the cost of business operation. The various political parties and Members of the Legislative Council actively persuaded the Government and put forth the specific proposal that the municipal councils and the Housing Authority should reduce the rental of their market stalls and shops by 30%, but the Government's reaction to the specific proposal was to pass the buck to the two municipal councils and the Housing Authority, leaving the decision to them.
And, instead of appreciating the financial difficulties of the Urban Council, the Government imposed a lot of constraints. Nevertheless, the Council did its best despite its financial uncertainties. In the past year, it reduced the rental of market stalls by 30%, revised downward the fee of various licences by 30% and
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Page 190 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
187
As to the amendment moved by Mr. Eric WONG that the Council should reduce the rental of commercial tenants paying basic rent by 30% for one year and review the position when the period expires*. it is in fact in line with my original motion in spirit and therefore I will support it. I earnestly hope that the original or amended motion will be carried today to ease the hardship of the people.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, 1 beg to move.
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):—-Mr. Chairman, I support Mr. Chiang's motion and second it.
Chairman (in Cantonese):-The motion has been moved by a Member and seconded by another. As Mr. Eric WONG has moved amendments to Mr. CHIANG'S original motion under Standing Order 21(12A), would Mr. Wong move his amended motion and speak?
(4)(b) Mr. Eric Wong ChunG-KI moved an amended motion under Standing Order 21(12A) as follows: —
In view of the present economic downturn and business difficulties in Hong Kong. RESOLVED that the Council reduce the rental of commercial tenants paying basic rent at the Council's recreation sites, cultural and entertainment venues and museums by 30% for one year and review the position when the period expires.'
He said (in Cantonesc):—Mr. Chairman and colleagues, over the past year, Hong Kong has encountered enormous financial hardship. The Government's economic forecast has been revised continuously from a low growth to the present negative growth. The overall economic environment is very worrying indeed. Workers are worried lest they might lose their job the next day while businessmen are worried about their business. In such an adverse economic condition, both the community and the Legislative Council expect that the Government will take the lead in doing something to create good economic environment, to provide employment opportunities and to cut down on the cost of business operation. The various political parties and Members of the Legislative Council actively persuaded the Government and put forth the specific proposal that the municipal councils and the Housing Authority should reduce the rental of their market stalls and shops by 30%, but the Government's reaction to the specific proposal was to pass the buck to the two municipal councils and the Housing Authority, leaving the decision to them.
And, instead of appreciating the financial difficulties of the Urban Council, the Government imposed a lot of constraints. Nevertheless, the Council did its best despite its financial uncertainties. In the past year, it reduced the rental of market stalls by 30%, revised downward the fee of various licences by 30% and
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