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more posts in a rational way. If the post is a must, it will be created, but we must not forget that what is involved is public money and we must not squander it away.
Just now Mr. LAM Man-fai cited the case about the creation of posts for the new Museum of History. It was with consensus that the number of posts was reduced to nine. Members of the DAB too agreed to this. We did not endorse all the 13 posts unconditionally just because the paper so recommended. We must work prudently. I hope that future proposals for post creation will also be handled prudently.
Before me are some comments on the economic situation. I am sure we are all concerned for it. I too hope that the economy will be stimulated as far as possible and will revive as soon as possible. However, there are many views that direct creation of posts by government departments cannot solve the problem of unemployment because the posts that can be created directly by the Government are mostly posts producing low-value products or providing services, such as street-cleaning, lawn-trimming. These posts are of no avail in improving the economic gains of Hong Kong and are not attractive enough to most people. Reluctant creation of these posts would only result in wastage of resources. If the problem of unemployment could be solved by direct creation of posts by the Government, then a lot of European countries would not have to rack their brains over it and worry about the millions of unemployed workers. Direct creation of posts is therefore not a solution.
Nevertheless, I hope Members will stop being biased when studying the problem. Last week, the seven major political parties reached consensus in six measures, two of which involve the two Municipal Councils. The first one is to reduce the rentals of market stalls and the second one is to reduce the fees and charges. I support these two measures and I hope that Members will follow this direction by reducing the rentals of market stalls so as to increase their viability. We also have the responsibility to improve their business environment. Our present licensing system does to a large extent affect the business environment. I wonder whether we should review the effectiveness of the system and the licensing legislation to make the system more modernized, systematic and business-friendly.
Furthermore, I also hope that we can actively promote the setting up of flea markets. Setting up these markets does not mean creation of posts. It would rather provide a chance for small businessmen or traders to do some small business.
Mr. Chairman, we support what Mr. Ambrose CHEUNG said just now and therefore, while I support the spirit of Ms. Grace Au's motion, I have reservation about the recommendation on creation of more posts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Jennifer Chow Kit-bing (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am sure that all the proposals aimed at solving the problem of unemployment are
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more posts in a rational way. If the post is a must, it will be created, but we must not forget that what is involved is public money and we must not squander it away.
Just now Mr. LAM Man-fai cited the case about the creation of posts for the new Museum of History. It was with consensus that the number of posts was reduced to nine. Members of the DAB too agreed to this. We did not endorse all the 13 posts unconditionally just because the paper so recommended. We must work prudently. I hope that future proposals for post creation will also be handled prudently. Before me are some comments on the economic situation. I am sure we are all concerned for it. I too hope that the economy will be stimulated as far as possible and will revive as soon as possible. However, there are many views that direct creation of posts by government departments cannot solve the problem of unemployment because the posts that can be created directly by the Government are mostly posts producing low- value products or providing services, such as street-cleaning, lawn-trimming. These posts are of no avail in improving the economic gains of Hong Kong. and are not attractive enough to most people. Reluctant creation of these posts would only result in wastage of resources. If the problem of unemployment could be solved by direct creation of posts by the Government, then a lot of European countries would not have to rack their brains over it and worry about the millions of unemployed workers. Direct creation of posts is therefore not a solution. Nevertheless, I hope Members will stop being bias when studying the problem. Last week, the seven major political parties reached consensus in six measures, two of which involve the two Municipal Councils. The first one is to reduce the rentals of market stalls and the second one is to reduce the fees and charges. I support these two measures and I hope that Members will follow this direction by reducing the rentals of market stalls so as to increase their viability. We also have the responsibility to improve their business environment. Our present licensing system does to a large extent affect the business environment. I wonder whether we should review the effectiveness of the system and the licensing legislation to make the system more modernized, systematic and business-friendly.
Furthermore, I also hope that we can actively promote the setting up of flea markets. Setting up these markets does not mean creation of posts. It would rather provide a chance for small businessmen or traders to do some small business.
Mr. Chairman, we support what Mr. Ambrose CHEUNG said just now and therefore, while I support the spirit of Ms. Grace Au's motion, I have reservation about the recommendation on creation of more posts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Jennifer Chow Kit-bing (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am sure that all the proposals aimed at solving the problem of unemployment are
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