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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 May 1988
Sir, items in the summary have been approved either by Finance Committee or under delegated authority. The latter have been reported to the Finance Committee in accordance with section 8(8)(a) of the Public Finance Ordinance.
Oral answers to questions
Privatisation and corporatisation of public services
1. DR. CHIU asked: Will Government inform this Council whether consideration is being given to privatising some of the public services and, if so, what services are likely to be privatised?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Sir, the only public service currently under considera- tion for privatisation is that relating to the running of abattoirs. We are examining the possibility of transferring this service from the Urban Council to the private sector, with the Urban Council retaining its public health responsibilities.
DR. CHIU: Sir, it appears that the Financial Secretary has restricted his answer to privatisation in a narrow sense, that is, excluding corporatisation and contracting out of public services. Will the Financial Secretary inform this Council whether any other public service, such as postal service, water supply, refuse transfer operations and operation of chemical treatment plants are being considered for corporation or contracting out?
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Sir, it was not I who restricted my answer; it was Dr. CHIU who restricted his question to privatisation. The only public service currently under consideration for privatisation, or indeed, for contracting out or corporatisation is, at the moment, the running of abattoirs. Of course, we do consider various other possibilities from time to time, and at all times our overriding criteria is to ensure that services to the public are provided in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Indulgence of youngsters in psychotropic drugs
2. MRS. FAN asked: Will Government inform this Council of the underlying reasons for an increasing trend of young people under 16 to indulge in soft drugs and what actions are being taken to remedy the situation, in particular to curb trafficking of Mandrax tablets by young people?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, of the many reasons why young people abuse these drugs, the main ones are assessed as being their curiosity and wish to experiment, peer pressure, and the belief that such drugs are harmless. Many young people also tend to imitate foreign fashions and for some, regrettably, this includes drug taking.