REVIEW
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Behind all these calculations of how much we will be able to afford ten years from now, or even next year, lies the question of our ability to expand industrial production and exports. Currently the outlook is good. There is every indication that in 1964 we shall again record an increase, from an already very high level, of 15 per cent in the value of our domestic exports. To the extent that we can improve quality and productivity and diversify both our products and our markets the maintenance of this standard depends upon our own efforts. But it depends also upon the movement of international trade and the protective actions taken from time to time by some of our best customers. Such an action was the im- position in Britain of the 15 per cent surcharge on manufactured imports. It is still too early to assess the impact of the surcharge upon our export performance but the effect is bound to be sub- stantial.
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During the year our social services have been subjected in one way or another to vigorous examination in public and develop- ments of policy owe a great deal to the advice of people who are quite unconnected with the government service. The report on the development of medical and health services was endorsed by the Medical Advisory Board before being tabled at the Legislative Council. That board comprises the Director of Medical and Health Services as chairman, two of his officers (one of whom is also vice-chairman of the Urban Council), a medical officer from the armed forces and ten other unofficial members representing both the medical profession and the public. The report on education, having been prepared by two outside experts, has since been under the scrutiny of a Working Party, under the chairmanship of the Director of Education, which contains four officials and seven unofficials.
The review of resettlement policy followed closely, on most major issues, the recommendations of a Working Party under the chairmanship of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs. Of the eight other members four were senior government officers and four were unofficial members, two appointed and two elected, of the Urban Council. The policy statement on social welfare was endorsed by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee on which, apart from the chairman who is the Director of Social Welfare, all the members are unofficial and bring to the committee a wide experience in