THURS
, APRIL 18, 1985
1
+AN EXERCISE IN ACCOUNTABILITY+
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THE RECORD OF WRITTEN AND ORAL ANSWERS RAISED AT THE PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AMOUNTED TO A CONSCIENTIOUS AND VERY PRACTICAL EXERCISE IN ACCOUNTABILITY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
AND IT WAS ONE WHICH MIGHT WELL BE NOTED BY STUDENTS OF THAT SUBJECT, HE ADDED,
TABLING THE REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1986, SIR PHILIP SAID THE RECORD OF THESE WRITTEN AND ORAL ANSWERS ..AS ANNEXED TO THE REPORT, AMOUNTING TO NO LESS THAN 393 PAGES OF TYPESCRIPT.
AT THE SAME TIME, SIR PHILIP SAID, THE REPORT REFLECTED MEMBERS' PAINSTAKING EXAMINATION OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES, AN EXAMINATION DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THE FUNDS REQUESTED WERE NO MORE THAN WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THE EXECUTION OF APPROVED POLICIES.
HE SAID THAT DURING THE COMMITTEE'S MEETINGS, WHICH WERE HELD IN PUBLIC OVER FOUR AFTERNOONS, THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 71 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE SUBMITTED WRITTEN ANSWERS TO 359 QUESTIONS, AND THAT 43 OF THEM WERE CALLED TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN PERSON.
THEY GAVE ORAL ANSWERS TO 221 QUESTIONS OF WHICH THEY HAD RECEIVED PREVIOUS NOTIFICATION, AND RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 200 SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS, SIR PHILIP SAID.
MTR ISLAND LINE OPENING MAY 31
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THE MTR ISLAND LINE WILL OPEN TO PASSENGER SERVICE BETWEEN ADMIRALTY AND CHAI WAN ON MAY 31, FIVE WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
IT WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE BUDGET OF $11 BILLION. SIR JOHN SAID WHEN TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1984.
HE NOTED THAT THE MTR WAS THE ONLY MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM IN THE WORLD WHOSE UNSUBSIDISED FARE REVENUES WERE SUFFICIENT TO COVER ALL COSTS, INCLUDING DEPRECIATION, PLUS A USEFUL OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN. SIR JOHN ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS THE MOST DENSELY UTILISED MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IN THE WORLD.
/LAST YEAR,