34.
Nor would I argue that we evaluate and review, and check on the validity of the assumptions underlying, our policies and programmes as regularly and as thoroughly as
desirable. But we are at least aware of the need to do so.
Above all, we are conscious of the fundamental importance of
our capital works programmes not only matching the economic
and social needs of the community, but also being consistent
with the legitimate demands for resources by the private
sector. Here, indeed, we are in something of a dilemma
inasmuch as so many of our capital works projects are designed
to provide the essential infrastructural facilities
communications, housing, formed and serviced land, etc.
without which our economy cannot develop and the private
sector prosper. The supply of formed and serviced land for sale to the private sector is the best illustration of this
point; in the five years ending 1982-83 present plans provide
for the expenditure of nearly $2,300 million at current prices to produce 715 hectares (= 1760 acres) of industrial and commercial/residential land for disposal to the private sector.
So, unless the public sector is able to command a certain
share of available resources of labour and capital in the
short and medium term, the supply of land available to the private sector in the longer term will be prejudiced.
35.
Finally, I would mention that Miss Dunn, unlike some press and radio commentators, correctly interpreted His Excellency when she said that "the Government's present
thinking was based on the assumption" and not necessarily on the expectation "of a continuation of the trend growth rate of the economy of 9% per annum in real terms". This is not a matter of semantics and, as His Excellency stressed,
"the need for flexibility and adaptability in the design and implementation of our programmes in changing circumstances
is of course well understood".
20
/II Government