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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1992
BUDGET PACKAGE REFLECTS PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY
THE CALLED ON PROPOSALS.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (FRIDAY) MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT HIS BUDGET
TO
HE WAS SPEAKING AFTER MEETING THREE GROUPS OF LEGCO MEMBERS DISCUSS THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT PARTICULAR FEATURES OF THE BUDGET PACKAGE.
MR MACLEOD SAID: "THE BUDGET IS A CAREFULLY BALANCED PACKAGE OF MEASURES WHICH HAS BEEN TAILORED TO REFLECT THE PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. I BELIEVE IT HAS A BROAD MEASURE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT. IT ENABLES US TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICES, INVEST IN HONG KONG'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE FINANCIAL CUSHION AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO LEGCO MEMBERS THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO JEOPARDISE THE INTEGRITY OF MY BUDGET PROPOSALS AND I HAVE ASKED FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN THE FORTHCOMING DEBATE.
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"I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO MEMBERS' VIEWS AND EXPLAINED THAT I BELIEVE WE CAN MEET MANY OF THEIR CONCERNS OUTSIDE THE BUDGET. I HAVE SAID THAT IF OUR FINANCIAL POSITION AFTER THIS BUDGET CONTINUES TO BE AS FORECAST, THEN IN THE 1993/94 BUDGET IT WOULD BE MY INTENTION TO DO WHAT I CAN TO ALLEVIATE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS BY REVIEWING AND IMPROVING SALARIES TAX ALLOWANCES AND TAX BANDS."
"I HAVE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT I AM PREPARED TO EXAMINE URGENTLY HOUSING PROBLEMS OF THE 'SANDWICH CLASS' AND TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP.'
THE
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION
THE TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON 20 MARCH 1992. THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE 1992/93 FINANCIAL YEAR SHOULD AMOUNT ΤΟ 159.30 HECTARES. THE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 27.96 HECTARES FOR COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT; 21.80 HECTARES FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND VILLAGE HOUSING; 16.79 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL, WELFARE, RELIGIOUS, RECREATIONAL AND OTHER USES; AND 92.75 HECTARES AS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDENG 60 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 9.
THE TWO SIDES ALSO AGREED TO SET ASIDE 5 HECTARES OF LAND IN A SUPPLEMENTARY LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME. THE LAND COMMISSION WILL DECIDE DURING THE YEAR ON THE AMOUNT OF LAND TO BE RELEASED FROM THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME IN THE LIGHT OF DEMAND.
DURING THE MEETING THE TWO SIDES ALSO HAD USEFUL DISCUSSIONS ON THE LAND REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY. THE TWO SIDES WILL CONTINUE CONSULTATIONS ON LAND FOR THESE PROJECTS.
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