C.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL
- 12 -
機密
XCC(74)52
Public reaction
44
It is difficult to anticipate public reaction to a package of this kind. The financial implications of our long term plans for social services and housing were explained during the budget debate which followed the publication of the Medical and Health Green Paper. In general, the need to rephase expenditure during the next few years has been accepted, if reluctantly, by most people. Even so, the public might still be expected to criticise delays in realising objectives which have already been publicised and debated publicly. Nevertheless, people will probably be more ready to accept a rephasing of the programme than a lowering of objectives. Indeed, this latter course is likely to provoke a sharp reaction, particularly from those groups which have already criticised the MDAC Report as falling short of expectations. In publicity we should try to balance this criticism by stressing that the medical programme will be kept under annual review so that the planning can be kept closely as possible in line with the future requirements of Hong Kong people. As indicated above it is intended that a White Paper will be tabled before the end of this session in the Legislative Council. Until then Honourable Members are asked to treat the contents of this paper as confidential.
Conclusion
45
In view of the uncertainty which must at this stage affect the scale of achievement possible by 1982 one course would be to defer publication of a White Paper and to invite the MDAC to reconsider their recommendations in the light of changing financial circumstances. This course would also provide an opportunity for the relative priorities of these and other items already in the Public Works Programme or competing for places in it to be clarified. However in all the circumstances it is considered preferable to publish the White Paper on the basis of the programme outlined in it but with no firm commitment as to the timescale for its achievement.
46
The progress of the programme will be closely watched. In view of the long lead time for the construction of projects, especially major hospitals, items. will be included in appropriate categories of the Public Works Programme. The medical programme will however be subject to an annual review by the MDAC and during the review the Committee will roll the plan period forward to keep it as closely as possible in step with developing requirements.
The first review should be put in hand in the last quarter of this year.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密