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Government will ease. The core question is of course the urgency of municipal services. If Government takes up the responsibility and provides the funding for them, our public will enjoy the planned municipal services sooner.
I hope Members will support the motion. If this Council makes decisions that entail additional expenditure and the financial situation cannot be eased instantly, we still have to be accountable to the public. Fellow Members unanimously ask that Government take up responsibility for these projects and bear the responsibility for commencement and completion of projects with a view to offering services to the public.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I move the motion standing in my name.
MR. ERIC WONG CHUNG-KI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
Mr. Joseph Lai Chi-Keong (in Cantonese):—I fully support the motion moved by my party colleague Mr. Stanley NG. We all know that in his Policy Address, the Chief Executive committed himself to the provision of 100,000 employment opportunities during the economic low period. Up to now, we have heard footsteps only, no real person is yet seen. The motion under debate addresses the point that this Council should have sufficient resources to complete the projects planned, but that the funding cut has made it impossible. As a result, thousands of employment opportunities are affected. We feel that Government should re-consider the whole thing. We know that the SAR Government is carrying out negotiations for a Disney theme park, a flea market has been provided at the site of the Kai Tak Airport and an industrial exhibition arranged at the Tamar site. The results of these projects are yet to be assessed, but the determination and intent are clear. I hope that there will be no more delay, especially in respect of the construction of municipal services. The experience I get about the Hong Kong economy is that as soon as we tighten the grip, everything dies, but as soon as we loosen the grip, everything is invigorated. Increasing employment opportunities provides an anchor on our income and encourages spending. The trend will bring the economy upwards and draw in foreign investment. Investment intention depends very much on how much people are willing to spend on the consumer market.
This motion of the Democratic Party has a positive effect on the provision of municipal services, employment opportunities and the economy of Hong Kong. I hope Members will support it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Does anyone else want to speak? If not, will Mr. Stanley NG exercise his right of reply, please? Mr. Stanley NG.
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI (in Cantonese):—thank Members for their support.
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Page 536 of 606
Page 535 of 606
006
Page 535 of 606
462
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Government will ease. The core question is of course the urgency of municipal services. If Government takes up the responsibility and provides the funging for them, our public will enjoy the planned municipal services sooner.
I hope Members will support the motion. If this Council makes decisions that entail additional expenditure and the financial situation cannot be eased instantly, we still have to be accountable to the public. Fellow Members unanimously ask that Government take up responsibility for these projects and bear the responsibility for commencement and completion of projects with a view to offering services to the public.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks. I move the motion standing in my name.
MR. ERIC WONG CHUNG-KI (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion.
Mr. Joseph Lai Chi-Keong (in Cantonese):-I fully support the motion moved by my party colleague Mr. Stanley NG. We all know that in his Policy Address, the Chief Executive committed himself to the provision of 100,000 employment opportunities during the economic low period. Up to now, we have heard footsteps only, no real person is yet seen. The motion under debate addresses the point that this Council should have sufficient resources to complete the projects planned, but that the funding cut has made it impossible. As a result, thousands of employment opportunities are affected. We feel that Government should re-consider the whole thing. We know that the SAR Government is carrying out negotiations for a Disney theme park, a flea market has been provided at the site of the Kai Tak Airport and an industrial exhibition arranged at the Tamar site. The results of these projects are yet to be assessed, but the determination and intent are clear. I hope that there will be no more delay, especially in respect of the construction of municipal services. The experience I get about the Hong Kong economy is that as soon as we tighten the grip, everything dies, but as soon as we loosen the grip, everything is invigorated. Increasing employment opportunities provides an anchor on our income and encourages spending. The trend will bring the economy upwards and draw in foreign investment. Investment intention depends very much on how much people are willing to spend on the consumer market.
This motion of the Democratic Party has a positive effect to the provision of municipal services, employment opportunities and the economy of Hong Kong. I hope Members will support it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Does anyone else want to speak? If not, will Mr. Stanley NG exercise his right of reply, please? Mr. Stanley NG.
MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI (in Cantonese):- thank Members for their support.
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