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coordination,
I mean the apportionment of duties and
cooperation among the various institutions concerned. By check and balance, I mean the division of powers and cross-monitoring
among these institutions.
that is,
Judging from the reorganisation proposal, I think that
S the proposed reorganization has taken a step in the right. direction. After reforganisation, the relationship between the Authority and OMELCO will generally remain unchanged,
Executive unchanged, major
Council": strategic
will still require Excele endorsement, while egislative Changes
Counci Lego will continue to deal with proposed amendments to Housing
Ordinance and examine egislative Councilsing policies; the
Finance Committee of Logo will still be responsible for the approval of the relevant funds. Indeed, after reforganisation, the Authority will enjoy greater flexibility in formulating and carrying out day to day policies, thus enabling the Authority to implement the Long Term Housing Strategy more effectively. Since the Authority has been doing remarkably well in the last 10 years
we should have more confidence in its future performance.
Another point at issue concerning the proposed reforganisation is the new financial arrangements of the Housing Authority. Some people worry that the Housing Authority will become a profit-making body but in fact, such allegation is groundless. Firstly, the Authority is still required to formulate its rental and pricing policies in accordance with the
that, is principle approved by the Executive Council, according to people's affordability. The reorganisation of the Housing
Authority or otherwise will not bring any changes to these policies. As regards commercial tenants, there is no reason why the government should subsidige them. On the contrary, the Housing Authority should be commended for being able to yield profits from the leasing of commercial units. Secondly, we should
S