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which there will be higher transparency and greater accountability of the Council and the Department.
The society is ever changing. If the Council and the Department fail to keep the present situation in view and only stick to old practices without listening to public opinions, they are doomed to failure.
Under the existing mechanism of municipal services provision, every Councillor is a channel for reflecting public opinions. We are the policy-makers, overseers, as well as reflectors of public opinions. Both the Council's system in receiving complaints by the public and the Councillors' offices set up in various districts to receive public complaints have helped improve communication between the Council and the public. This mechanism of handling complaints enables public opinions to be fully and promptly reflected. After collating and analysing the information collected, and taking into account current social conditions, we would be able to formulate a set of policies and measures which better serve the needs of the society at present. The 21st century is round the corner. Hong Kong faced a financial crisis in the past year and is now undergoing a period of adjustment and recuperation to build up strength for making further achievements in the 21st century. However, if Hong Kong did not have a huge reserve and solid foundation, we would have suffered even greater in the financial crisis. The Council should learn from Hong Kong's experience and strengthen and adjust itself in this period. We should build up a good foundation of public opinion and information to prepare for future challenges.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Kam Nai-WAI (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman,
When I was preparing my speech this morning, the thought that this would be the Council's last Annual Conventional Debate never crossed my mind. But when I entered the lift of the Chambers, some journalist friends said to me that the discussion today has great significance for it will be the last debate. Then in the Chamber, many of my fellow Members remarked with a note of pessimism that it could be the last Annual Conventional Debate today. Anyhow, I hope we could do our best in our work in the coming year. If the Council cannot continue with its work in 2000, I suggest we have a debate at the end of this year, perhaps on the last day, so as to give us an opportunity to speak our mind freely. Thus, I am sure this is not going to be our last debate.
My speech is divided into two parts. First of all, on the review of district organisations, the Democratic Party wants to put forward for endorsement certain principles concerning “One Municipal Council and One Municipal Services Department". Someone has just mentioned that other parties have made clear their stand on "One Municipal Council and One Municipal Services Department" in the Legislative Council meeting. Later, fellow
Page 373 of 606
Page 373 of 606
Page 373 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
361
which there will be higher transparency and greater accountability of the Council and the Department.
The society is ever changing. If the Council and the Department fail to keep The present situation in view and only stick to old practices without listening to
public opinions, they are doomed to failure.
Under the existing mechanism of municipal services provision, every Councillor is a channel for reflecting public opinions. We are the policy- makers, overseers, as well as reflectors of public opinions. Both the Council's system in receiving complaints by the public and the Councillors' offices set up in various districts to receive public complaints have helped improve communication between the Council and the public. This mechanism of handling complaints enables public opinions to be fully and promptly reflected. After collating and analysing the information collected, and taking into account current social conditions, we would be able to formulate a set of policies and measures which better serve the needs of the society at present. The 21st century is round the corner. Hong Kong faced a financial crisis in the past year and is now undergoing a period of adjustment and recuperation to build up strength for making further achievements in the 21st century. However, if Hong Kong did not have a huge reserve and solid foundation, we would have suffered even greater in the financial crisis. The Council should learn from Hong Kong's experience and strengthen and adjust itself in this period. We should build up a good foundation of public opinion and information to prepare for future challenges.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
Mr. Kam NaI-WAI (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman,
When I was preparing my speech this morning, the thought that this would be the Council's last Annual Conventional Debate never crossed my mind. But when I entered the lift of the Chambers, some journalist friends said to me that the discussion today has great significance for it will be the last debate. Then in the Chamber, many of my fellow Members remarked with a note of pessimism that it could be the last Annual Conventional Debate today. Anyhow, I hope we could do our best in our work in the coming year. If the Council cannot continue with its work in 2000, I suggest we have a debate at the end of this year, perhaps on the last day, so as to give us an opportunity to speak our mind freely. Thus. I am sure this is not going to be our last debate.
My speech is divided into two parts. First of all, on the review of district organisations, the Democratic Party wants to put forward for endorsement certain principles concerning “One Municipal Council and One Municipal Services Department". Someone has just mentioned that other parties have made clear their stand on "One Municipal Council and One Municipal Services Department" in the Legislative Council meeting. Later, fellow
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