14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1987
INADEQUATE PROVISIONS OF HALFWAY HOUSES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, DISTRICT NURSING, HOME FOR THE AGED, CONVALESCENT BEDS AND HOME FOR THE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SERVED AS A BLOCKAGE TO HOSPITAL DISCHARGE, THEREBY WASTING ACUTE HOSPITAL SPACE.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT AS THE GOVERNMENT OFTEN ALLOWED A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF ANNUAL INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE BASED ON THE PREVIOUS ONE, THERE WAS A TENDENCY FOR LARGE DEPARTMENTS TO GROW AND NEW ONES TO REMAIN SMALL. THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WERE EXAMPLES OF THESE TWO EXTREMES.
+THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE HAVE NOW A CLEANER HONG KONG IN TERMS OF CORRUPTION AND A DIRTIER ONE IN TERMS OF POLLUTION,+ SHE SAID.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REDUCTION IN THE EXPENDITURE OF THE ICAC AND AN INCREASE IN THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, DR IP SAID THE GOVERNMENT OUG HT TO LOOK INTO WAYS OF MAXIMISING WORK OUTPUT. ALLOWING AN ANNUAL SINGLE INCREMENT TO ALL STAFF ACROSS THE BOARD GAVE NO SHORT TERM INCENTIVES AS IT DID NOT DISTINGUISH THE ANGELS FROM THE DEVILS.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD A FINE FLEET OF WELL QUALIFIED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO OUGHT TO BE GIVEN FAR MORE RESPONSIBILITY THAN THEY WERE AT PRESENT. DELEGATION OF WORK TO CLERICAL WORKERS COULD RELEASE MORE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS TO OTHER IMPORTANT TASKS NOW HANDLED BY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS.
SHE ADDED THAT A LOT OF VALUABLE MAN-HOURS WERE WASTED WHEN DECISIONS WHICH COULD BE MADE AT A PERSONAL LEVEL WERE LOADED ON TO COMMITTEES FOR FEAR OF ICAC.
+WE HAVE NOW GOT A FINE CIVIL SERVICE. IT IS ABOUT TIME WE GIVE THEM MORE TRUST, SHE SAID.
CALL TO MONITOR +SECURITISATION+ ACTIVITIES
*****
THE HON PETER POON TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO MONITOR +SECURITISATION+ ACTIVITIES IN THE BANKING AND SECURITIES MARKET.
NOTING THAT THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS WAS REVIEWING THE SITUATION, MR POON SAID TIMELY MONITORING OF SUCH ISSUES WITH PROPER GUIDELINES WAS NEEDED BEFORE THE OCCURRENCE OF POSSIBLE UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS TO THE HONG KONG FINANCIAL MARKET.
/SPEAKING