WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED FOR 1992/93
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THE
FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1992/93 CHARGED TO 66 HEADS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 78 HEADS WAS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR THOSE HEADS BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1992.
THE TOTAL NET SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE 66 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE IS $7,493.1 MILLION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1992/93) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE SUFFICIENT OFFSETTING SAVINGS COULD NOT BE FOUND WITHIN THE HEADS CONCERNED.
OF
THIS EXCESS IS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION THE 1992 PAY ADJUSTMENT IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS ($5,377.4 MILLION), HE SAID.
OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON PENSION PAYMENT ($1,219.3 MILLION) AND THE INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES ($566.5 MILLION).
MR MACLEOD SAID THE COST OF THE 1992 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND PENSION INCREASE HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED IN THE 1992/93 ESTIMATES UNDER THE "ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS" SUBHEAD.
"SAVINGS WERE ALSO MADE IN OTHER SUBHEADS THROUGH CONTINUED TIGHT CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RESTRAINT.
"BECAUSE OF THESE SAVINGS AND THE PROVISION MADE FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS, TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR IS WITHIN THE APPROPRIATED IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1992," HE SAID.
SUM
THE BILL SEEKS TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED IN RESPECT OF PARTICULAR HEADS OF EXPENDITURE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER POWERS DELEGATED BY IT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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