WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1993
THE
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LEGCO'S GREENLIGHT ON DISASTER RELIEF FUND
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A DISASTER RELIEF FUND TO HELP VICTIMS OUTSIDE KONG.
HONG
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE FUND WOULD BE SET UP THIS FINANCIAL YEAR UNDER THE PUBLIC PINANCE ORDINANCE WITH AN INITIAL APPROPRIATION OF $50 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL REVENUE.
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IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TOP UP THE FUND EVERY YEAR AS NECESSARY, HE SAID.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FUND WILL PROVIDE A READY MECHANISM HONG KONG TO RESPOND QUICKLY то INTERNATIONAL APPEALS FOR HUMANITARIAN AID.
FOR
A COMMITTEE TO BE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY WOULD BE SET UP TO ADVISE ON THE POLICY AND PRACTICES REGARDING THE USE OF FUNDS FOR INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF, ADVISE ON GRANT OF SPECIFIED AMOUNTS TO SPECIFIED RECIPIENTS AND MONITOR THE USE OF GRANTS.
MEMBERS WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, TWO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TWO LEGCO MEMBERS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL BE DESIGNATED AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FUND.
DISBURSEMENTS MADE WITHIN THE LIMIT OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY WILL BE DEALT WITH ADMINISTRATIVELY.
"THE FINANCIAL COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL WILL BE SOUGHT FOR INDIVIDUAL DISBURSEMENTS WHICH EXCEED THE LIMIT OF DELEGATED CURRENTLY $8 MILLION," MR MACLEOD SAID.
POWERS,
PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THE FUND.
"HOWEVER, FOR PRACTICAL REASONS, PUBLIC DONATIONS WILL ONLY
BE
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ACCEPTED FOR GENERAL RELIEF PURPOSE, NOT TIED ΤΟ INDIVIDUAL DISASTERS, HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE IS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT ON AN AD HOC BASIS.
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