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should disclose these 1600 copies of questionnaire, if you believe the Government's analysis. The 'telephone directory' prepared by the Government has already carried a lot of information, but the very 1600 copies of questionnaire are omitted. There is no need to publish another 'telephone directory', but the least the Government can do is to keep these 1600 copies in a certain place for public inspection. If there is any query about the survey findings, I can check up these copies. Hence, as far as this is concerned, both the public and the Legislative Council have not been provided with an adequate basis and full information for debate. It is inappropriate to declare under such circumstances that the consultation has been completed.
The following are some of my recommendations aimed at solving this controversial issue in a peaceful way. We don't mind if the two Councils are eventually dissolved, but the matter should be referred back to the public for discussion.
(1) I consider that the Government should choose to conduct another round of consultation. Specific restructuring proposals for food safety, environmental hygiene, arts and culture as well as recreation should be finalized before the public is consulted.
(2) A number of legislation will have to be presented to the Legislative Council for consideration. Those concerning the District Boards will probably be presented at the end of this year while those concerning the two municipal councils, in April or May next year. They will have to be debated by the Legislative Council. I consider that the Government should respect the legislative procedure. It is not for the information but for the consultation of the Legislative Council. Some bills and amendments have to be endorsed too. There should be adequate time for follow-up action. What's the hurry then? Why should the reform be hurriedly carried out in 1999? I know this is not the subject for today's debate. I have some views on the way the Government handles this, but this doesn't matter now. I can discuss this on some other occasions, but the Government should at least act properly as far as procedures are concerned.
(3) I consider that the Government should anticipate the Legislative Council's preference over the issue. If the bills were not endorsed, what would its alternative plan be? It should be accountable not only to the two Municipal Councils but also to the public, so to forestall any memberless-councils at the end of 1999 and to ensure that the municipal services will be systematically handled. Nevertheless, neither does the Government have any specific option for such situations. I suggest that during the second round of consultation in the next three months and during the next few months in which the Legislative Council is being consulted on the bills and examining them, the Government should at the same time make known to the public some alternative plans. I wish to stress that the Government has time and again promised that even if
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should disclose these 1600 copies of questionnaire, if you believe the Government's analysis. The 'telephone directory' prepared by the Government has already carried a lot of information, but the very 1600 copies of questionnaire are omitted. There is no need to publish another 'telephone directory', but the least the Government can do is to keep these I 600 copies in a certain place for public inspection. If there is any query about the survey findings, I can check up these copies. Hence, as far as this is concerned, both the public and the Legislative Council have not been provided with an adequate basis and full information for debate. It is inappropriate to declare under such circumstances that the consultation has been completed.
The following are some of my recommendations aimed at solving this controversial issue in a peaceful way. We don't mind if the two Councils are eventually dissolved, but the matter should be referred back to the public for discussion.
(1) I consider that the Government should choose to conduct another round of consultation. Specific restructuring proposals for food safety. environmental hygiene, arts and culture as well as recreation should be finalized before the public is consulted.
(2) A number of legislation will have to be presented to the Legislative Council for consideration. Those concerning the District Boards will probably be presented at the end of this year while those concerning the two municipal councils, in April or May next year. They will have to be debated by the Legislative Council. I consider that the Government should respect the legislative procedure. It is not for the information but for the consultation of the Legislative Council. Some bills and amendments have to be endorsed too. There should be adequate time for follow-up action. What's the hurry then? Why should the reform be hurriedly carried out in 1999? I know this is not the subject for today's debate. I have some views on the way the Government handles this, but this doesn't matter now. I can discuss this on some other occasions, but the Government should at least act properly as far as procedures are concerned.
(3) I consider that the Government should anticipate the Legislative Council's preference over the issue. If the bills were not endorsed, what would its alternative plan be? It should be accountable not only to the two Municipal Councils but also to the public, so to forestall any memberless-councils at the end of 1999 and to ensure that the municipal services will be systematically handled. Nevertheless, neither does the Government have any specific option for such situations. I suggest that during the second round of consultation in the next three months and during the next few months in which the Legislative Council is being consulted on the bills and examining them, the Government should at the same time make known to the public some alternative plans. I wish to stress that the Government has time and again promised that even if
Page 256 of 606
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