WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1977-
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TURNING TO THE SHORTFALLS OF SERVICES IDENTIFIED IN THE GREEN PAPER, MR. LI EXPLAINED THAT THE SHORTFALLS WERE CALCULATED ON THE BASIS OF FORESEEABLE DEMAND AND SUPPLY OF SERVICES AND HAVING REGARD TO THE EFFECT OF VARIOUS CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT.
SUCH CONSTRAINTS INCLUDE THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE SITES, THE CAPACITY FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BUILDINGS, PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION LEAD TIMES AND LEAD TIMES FOR STAFF RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING.
HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF THE UNOFFICIALS' SUGGESTIONS, THE SECRETARY SAID, +GOVERNMENT WILL RE-EXAMINE THE RATES OF DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES RECOMMENDED IN THE GREEN PAPER IN ORDER TO ASSESS WHETHER THE SHORTFALL OF SERVICES CAN BE MADE UP MORE QUICKLY.+
WINDING UP THE DEBATE, DR. HARRY FANG SAID THE UNOFFICIALS WERE PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND RE-EXAMINE THE RATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES.
IN CLOSING, HE OBSERVED THAT IT WAS RARE THAT AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF CONCLUDING A DEBATE IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ON A PUBLIC ISSUE OF SUCH MAJOR IMPORTANCE, HE SAID, +IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT THE LAST WORD SHOULD COME FROM THE UNOFFICIAL SIDE.
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