LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 3631 OFFICIAL RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Wednesday, 18 February 2004 The Council met at half-past Two o'clock MEMBERS PRESENT: THE PRESIDENT THE HONOURABLE MRS RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE KENNETH TING WOO-SHOU, J.P. THE HONOURABLE JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, G.B.S., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE DAVID CHU YU-LIN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE CYD HO SAU-LAN THE HONOURABLE ALBERT HO CHUN-YAN IR DR THE HONOURABLE RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI, J.P. THE HONOURABLE LEE CHEUK-YAN THE HONOURABLE MARTIN LEE CHU-MING, S.C., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE FRED LI WAH-MING, J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE LUI MING-WAH, J.P. THE HONOURABLE NG LEUNG-SING, J.P. 3632 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 THE HONOURABLE MARGARET NG THE HONOURABLE MRS SELINA CHOW LIANG SHUK-YEE, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE JAMES TO KUN-SUN THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG MAN-KWONG THE HONOURABLE HUI CHEUNG-CHING, J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHAN KWOK-KEUNG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHAN YUEN-HAN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE BERNARD CHAN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHAN KAM-LAM, J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS SOPHIE LEUNG LAU YAU-FUN, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE LEUNG YIU-CHUNG THE HONOURABLE SIN CHUNG-KAI THE HONOURABLE ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT, J.P. THE HONOURABLE WONG YUNG-KAN THE HONOURABLE JASPER TSANG YOK-SING, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE HOWARD YOUNG, S.B.S., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE YEUNG SUM THE HONOURABLE YEUNG YIU-CHUNG, B.B.S. THE HONOURABLE LAU CHIN-SHEK, J.P. THE HONOURABLE LAU KONG-WAH, J.P. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 3633 THE HONOURABLE LAU WONG-FAT, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MIRIAM LAU KIN-YEE, J.P. THE HONOURABLE AMBROSE LAU HON-CHUEN, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE EMILY LAU WAI-HING, J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHOY SO-YUK THE HONOURABLE ANDREW CHENG KAR-FOO THE HONOURABLE SZETO WAH THE HONOURABLE TIMOTHY FOK TSUN-TING, S.B.S., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE LAW CHI-KWONG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE TAM YIU-CHUNG, G.B.S., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE TANG SIU-TONG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE ABRAHAM SHEK LAI-HIM, J.P. THE HONOURABLE LI FUNG-YING, J.P. THE HONOURABLE HENRY WU KING-CHEONG, B.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE TOMMY CHEUNG YU-YAN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL MAK KWOK-FUNG THE HONOURABLE ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP THE HONOURABLE LEUNG FU-WAH, M.H., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE LO WING-LOK, J.P. THE HONOURABLE WONG SING-CHI 3634 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE THE HONOURABLE IP KWOK-HIM, J.P. THE HONOURABLE AUDREY EU YUET-MEE, S.C., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MA FUNG-KWOK, J.P. MEMBERS ABSENT: DR THE HONOURABLE DAVID LI KWOK-PO, G.B.S., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE PHILIP WONG YU-HONG, G.B.S. THE HONOURABLE LAU PING-CHEUNG PUBLIC OFFICERS ATTENDING: THE HONOURABLE DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN, G.B.M., J.P. THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION THE HONOURABLE HENRY TANG YING-YEN, G.B.S., J.P. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HONOURABLE ELSIE LEUNG OI-SIE, G.B.M., J.P. THE SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE PROF THE HONOURABLE ARTHUR LI KWOK-CHEUNG, G.B.S., J.P. SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER DR THE HONOURABLE YEOH ENG-KIONG, J.P. SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, WELFARE AND FOOD DR THE HONOURABLE PATRICK HO CHI-PING, J.P. SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 3635 THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK MA SI-HANG, J.P. SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES AND THE TREASURY THE HONOURABLE STEPHEN LAM SUI-LUNG, J.P. SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS THE HONOURABLE JOHN TSANG CHUN-WAH, J.P. SECRETARY FOR COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY CLERKS IN ATTENDANCE: MR RICKY FUNG CHOI-CHEUNG, J.P., SECRETARY GENERAL MR LAW KAM-SANG, J.P., DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL MR RAY CHAN YUM-MOU, ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL 3636 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 TABLING OF PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Rule 21(2) of the Rules of Procedure: Subsidiary Legislation/Instruments L.N. No. Specification of Public Office ................................ 21/2004 Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) Order 2004.................................. 22/2004 Other Papers No. 58 ─ Occupational Safety and Health Council Annual Report 2002-2003 No. 59 ─ Equal Opportunities Commission Annual Report 2002/03 ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS PRESIDENT (in Cantonese): Questions. First question. Public Opinion Surveys 1. MR LEUNG YIU-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Madam President, the results of a public opinion survey conducted by a non-government organization at the end of last month revealed that 63% of the public did not support Mr TUNG Chee-hwa as the Chief Executive, whereas 16% did. As compared to the rating obtained in October last year, the rate of satisfaction with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government's performance in handling its relations with the Central People's Government dropped by 10 percentage points. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it has: LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 3637 (a) conducted any public opinion surveys in respect of the above topics; if so, of the results of the surveys; (b) monitored, on a long-term basis, the results of public opinion surveys on the above topics conducted by non-government organizations and implemented improvement measures accordingly; if so, of the details of its monitoring work and measures; and (c) assessed if the drop in the rate of satisfaction with the SAR Government's performance in handling its relations with the Central People's Government is attributable to its performance in relaying to the Central People's Government the public's aspirations for democracy; if so, of the results of the assessment? SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (in Cantonese): Madam President, as stated by the Chief Executive in the 2004 policy address, the Government is determined to put the interests of the people at the forefront of our administration. We will be modest, candid, pragmatic and open with the public in strengthening our leadership role. Being a people-based government, it is imperative that we are able to grasp public sentiment promptly and accurately, and to respond effectively. We are currently implementing a comprehensive series of measures to extensively gauge and collate public opinion from all sectors of the community with an open, liberal and accommodating attitude. Specifically, we will keep abreast of public opinion through polls, social networking, focus group discussions, analyses of views in the press and public views and attitudes revealed through opinion surveys conducted by different non-government organizations, as well as collating views expressed through different channels. We will also make full use of District Offices, District Councils, the various advisory bodies and community organizations for the purpose of collecting public opinion. Government departments will strengthen their understanding of public views and attitudes through contacts in various sectors. Moreover, the Government will maintain close liaison with the mass media, experts and opinion leaders familiar with community feelings, so as to gauge the pulse of the community. 3638 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 I believe the question raised by the Honourable LEUNG Yiu-chung refers to the public opinion survey conducted by the "HKU Pop Site" from 26 to 29 January 2004 on the popularity of the Chief Executive and Principal Officials. Among other questions, respondents were asked whether they would vote for Mr TUNG Chee-hwa as the Chief Executive and how far they were satisfied with the SAR Government's performance in handling its relationship with the Central People's Government. My replies to the three points raised by Mr LEUNG are as follows: (a) The Administration has not conducted public opinion surveys in respect of the above topics. (b) As mentioned above, we will make use of different means to collate and analyse views from the public through various channels, including the results of public opinion surveys conducted by non- government organizations. We would constantly pay attention and make reference to such survey results with a view to improving our governance. (c) As explained in the reply to part (b) of the main question, we have taken note of the results of opinion surveys conducted by non- government organizations, but we have not assessed the Government's handling of its relationship with the Central People's Government. MR LEUNG YIU-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Madam President, the Secretary's main reply highlighted that the Government would put the interest of the people at the forefront of its administration, and would be pragmatic and open with the public. However, I would like to tell the Secretary that a number of incidents have taken place in the community lately, including persistent opposition to reductions in education funding from the education sector, repeated requests from temporary workers for the Government to create more posts and extend their jobs, and the constant reflection of public aspirations for a more democratic and open electoral system in future. In spite of this, we have not seen the Government make any response in these respects. May I ask the Government, given its determination to grasp public sentiment and respond effectively, what specific measures it will take and how it can reflect the true picture at an appropriate time to show to the public that it is responding to public sentiment genuinely? LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 18 February 2004 3639 SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (in Cantonese): Madam President, as I have pointed out in my main reply, the Government is determined to put the interest of the people at the forefront of our administration, and to extensively gauge public opinions from all sectors of the community with an open and accommodating attitude.