WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 25, 1989
'TRADING FUNDS CONCEPT BEING EXAMINED
IN THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO EXAMINE WHETHER THERE ARE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE IN THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF VARIOUS SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IN PARTICULAR, WE ARE EXAMINING THE SCOPE FOR INTRODUCING A NEW CONCEPT, TRADING FUNDS. ABOUT WHICH I SPOKE IN THIS COUNCIL LAST SESSION," SIR PIERS SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
"BRIEFLY, THIS CONCEPT ALLOWS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO BE RUN ON A MORE COMMERCIAL BASIS."
MR BARROW HAD ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY PLANS то FROGRESSIVELY PRIVATISE. CORPORATISE OR CONTRACT OUT PUBLIC SERVICES.
SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THAT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT DIFFERED GREATLY IN THEIR NATURE AND SCOPE.
SOME THAT WERE MOST PROPERLY OR CONVENIENTLY DELIVERED BY AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE ADMINISTRATION WERE ALREADY PROVIDED THROUGH SUBVENTED BODIES. CORPORATIONS AND THE LIKE.
"ONE OF OUR BASIC PRINCIPLES IS THAT WE SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE EACH AND EVERY SERVICE THROUGH AN APPROPRIATE ORGANISATIONAL FRAMEWORK.
"CLEARLY, THIS MEANS THAT WE DO NOT INTRODUCE PRIVATISATION, CORPORATISATION OR CONTRACTING OUT FOR THEIR OWN SAKE, BUT ONLY WHERE SUCH AN APPROACH RESULTS IN A MORE EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF A PARTICULAR SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
MEASURES TO CURB ACCIDENTS ON TUEN MUN HIGHWAY
THE GOVERNMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED A NUMBER OF MEASURES ΤΟ HELP REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON TUEN MUN ROAD INVOLVING, IN PARTICULAR, HEAVY VEHICLES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT. THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR LEUNG SAID THE TWO MAIN CAUSES OF THESE ACCIDENTS WERE IMPROPER DRIVING BEHAVIOUR, SUCH AS CARELESS LANE CHANGING AND OVERTAKING, AND DRIVING AT SPEEDS WHICH WERE TOO HIGH HAVING REGARD TO THE PREVAILING ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.
/MR LEUNG