WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1977
LEGCO APPROVES FUNDS
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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A MOTION TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO DRAW ON FUNDS ON ACCOUNT FOR EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1 AND THE ISSUE OF THE GENERAL WARRANT FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE EARLY IN MAY.
IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON EXPLAINED THAT THIS YEAR, AS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL WAS TO BE EXTENDED INTO APRIL AND MAY TO ALLOW UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS MORE TIME TO EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR 1977-78.
+ THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE WILL THEREFORE NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL EARLY MAY,+ MR. JEAFFRESON SAID.
THE FUNDS ON ACCOUNT SOUGHT UNDER EACH EXPENDITURE HEAD HAVE BEEN DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES WHICH HAVE BEEN AGREED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL, HE SAID,
THE MOTION ALSO SOUGHT THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL TO ENABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO DIRECT THAT CERTAIN RECEIPTS, CONSISTING OF FEES AND CHARGES, BE APPROPRIATED-IN-AID AND USED TO OFFSET EXPENDITURE INSTEAD OF BEING CREDITED TO GENERAL REVENUE DURING THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE VOTE ON ACCOUNT.
THE APPROPRIATIONS-IN-AID SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1976-77.
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