G.F. 323
A
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
Their report was tabled in the Legislative Council on
31st October 1973 and published in order that the general public
might be aware of their recommendations and express their views
on the conclusions reached by the Committee.
As indicated in the foreword published in the report
the Government would then determine what should be the extent and speed
of such expansion in the light of public comments and competing claims
on scarce resources including qualified staff, money and land.
This White Paper sets out the Government's proposals for
The proposals
the further development of medical and health services.
are divided into those for which funds are likely to be available
over the next ten years given some increase in taxation, and those
for which funds cannot be assumed but which should proceed if the
revenue position and competing bids so allow. To implement all the
proposals would involve roughly doubling recurrent expenditure on
medical and health services to about $900 million a year at 1974
prices. The full capital cost would be about $914 million at 1974
prices most of which would occur after 1977-78. At this point in
time it is not easy to say what the budgetary position will then be.
It remains however the Government's intention to work as swiftly as
circumstances permit towards the implementation of these proposals.
Given present circumstances however it is prudent to divide the
proposals into two groups in this way. The implications of proceeding
in this way and the priorities to be adopted for development are
discussed more fully in Chapter 13 of the White Paper. Progress will be
subject to regular annual reviews by the MDAC in the light of changing
needs and of budgetary circumstances. The first such review will
begin in the last quarter of this year.
CONFIDENTIAL **