Speech by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs on Moving the District Councils Bill for 2nd Reading at the LegCo Meeting held on 16.12.98 (English Translation) |
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President, I hereby move that the District Councils Bill be read a second time. 2. The future development of the District Boards constitutes an important aspect in the Review of District Organisations. Over the past year, we conducted extensive consultation with different sectors of our community and having considered their views, the Administration has decided that the following changes should be adopted as the general direction for the future development of the District Boards:
3. The District Councils Bill submitted today is drafted with a view to implementing the above changes. Its objective is to provide for the establishment, composition and functions of a District Council and to set out the relevant electoral procedure. Its provisions closely follow those in the former District Boards Ordinance and Electoral Provision Ordinance. In effect, it can be said that this Bill is a merger of these two and we have chosen to draft a single piece of legislation because this would provide a more comprehensive and a clearer picture of the District Council and would facilitate Honourable Members to examine the relevant provision in one Bill. This approach follows the example of the Legislative Council Ordinance. 4. The Bill consists of 11 Parts as follows:
5. With regard to the establishment of District Councils, the main provisions are as follows:
6. The number of elected member will be computed on the basis one elected seat to every 17 000 population which is the same as in 1994. Due to increase in population, the number of elected members will increase from 346 in the past to 390. With regard to appointed members, they will represent about one-fifth of the total number of District Council members, inclusive of ex officio members. For the number of elected and appointed members in individual Districts, please refer to Schedule 3 in the Bill. 7. With regard to appointed members, I appreciate that individual members may have different views and consideration. During our consultation on the Review of District Organisations, we have gathered from the community different opinion about appointed membership. Many indicated their preference to retain appointed members in order to attract some individuals who are enthusiastic and interested in district affairs and are capable and experienced but have no intention to serve the community through the channel of election to join the District Councils. Such will help not only to reflect the interest of different sectors within a District but also to enhance the quality of District Councils in deliberating business. And this will certainly be beneficial to the operation of District Councils and the people in the District particularly when many issues affecting the well-being of the people (such as advising on food and environmental hygiene service) will fall within the purview of District Councils in future. In the past, appointed members represent about one-third of the total number of District Boards members. Since we propose now to retain appointed members at the proportion of about one-fifth of the total number of members in a District Council, it should be reasonable and acceptable. 8. With regard to the retention of 27 Rural Committee Chairmen as ex officio members on the District Councils in the New Territories, we are of the view that since this is a long standing and effective arrangement, it should continue so that the interests and views of the indigenous residents can be fully reflected. 9. We have recommended in the Bill that the advisory role of District Councils in food and environmental hygiene services should be enhanced. Moreover, through administrative arrangements, we would appoint more District Board members to a greater number of advisory committees concerned with the well-being of people. We would also invite the future Chairmen of District Councils to become formal members of the District Management Committees. We earnestly hope that District Councils will assume more responsibilities in district affairs such as building management, fire prevention, environmental improvement, transport matters, community building and promotion of recreational and cultural activities. To match with this increase in responsibility, the Administration is considering the provision of additional support for District Council members and relevant District Offices so that they can carry out their functions effectively. In this connection, the Chief Secretary has asked Bureau and Department heads to step up communication with individual District Boards and to report their work and explain their policies to District Boards and to answer enquires and to consult District Boards in a positive, frank and open manner. 10. With regard to the electoral arrangements, the provisions are drafted, having regard to the existing Legislative Council Ordinance and the former Electoral Provisions Ordinance. Our aim is to ensure that election will be held under a fair, open and honest environment. Main provisions in the Bill are as follows:
11. Finally, I would like to invite all Honourable Members of this Council to expedite the processing of this Bill. It is because after enactment of the primary Ordinance, there is still a lot of preparatory work to be completed before the District Council ordinary election can be organised to elect District Council members in time to replace the Provisional District Board members whose term of office would lapse by the end of December 1999. Preparatory work include the demarcation of constituency boundaries and enactment of subsidiary legislation which includes regulations governing election expenses, security deposit and election procedure etc., and such must be completed before the LegCo goes into recess in July next year. In addition, lead time has to be allowed for other items of work such as publication of the Register, nomination of candidates and election activities. Failure to complete the above will result in substantial delay to the HKSAR's first ordinary District Council election. The Administration will fully cooperate with Honourable Members in the processing of this Bill and we are aiming to have the Bill enacted not later than mid-February 1999 (i.e. before the Chinese New Year) so that there will be legal backing for the District Council election. Thank you all. Constitutional Affairs Bureau |