SCHEME ADMINISTRATION
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1994
SOME MEMBERS HAVE CALLED FOR THE OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME TO BE RUN BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT CONTRIBUTION COLLECTION SHOULD BE GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY RATHER THAN EMPLOYERS. WHILE WE ARE PREPARED TO CONSIDER SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE WAY CONTRIBUTIONS SHOULD BE COLLECTED, WE REMAIN CONVINCED THAT A NON-CIVIL-SERVICE ORGANISATION COULD OPERATE THE SCHEME MUCH MORE COST-EFFECTIVELY.
CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
MANY MEMBERS HAVE COMMENTED ON THE NEED TO CONSULT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE PROPOSED SCHEME. WE ARE INDEED COMMITTED TO DOING SO. WE ARE READY TO PROVIDE THE CHINESE SIDE WITH FURTHER INFORMATION OR BRIEFINGS ON THE SCHEME, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSIONS THROUGH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
THE WAY AHEAD
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OUR TASK FORCE WILL ANALYSE THE SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED, AND PROPOSE ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS WHERE APPROPRIATE. WE WILL LOOK AT THESE SUBMISSIONS WITH AN OPEN MIND. WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE WAY FORWARD BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
MR PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT HAS PLEDGED FIRMLY ΤΟ ATTACH DUE IMPORTANCE TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC DURING THIS CONSULTATION PERIOD. WE HAVE ALSO PLEDGED A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR ELDERLY IN THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS. A LOT HAVE BEEN DONE AND WILL BE DONE IN THIS DIRECTION. WE HAVE HOWEVER MAJOR RESERVATIONS ON THE MOTION'S CALL FOR GOVERNMENT, OR OUR TAXPAYERS, TO ASSUME EVEN GREATER FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME AND FOR WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, AS WHAT WE HAVE PLEDGED IS ALREADY SIGNIFICANT. FOR THIS RESERVATION, THEREFORE, THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT THE MOTION IN FULL. THEY WILL THEREFORE ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION AND ITS AMENDMENTS. THANK YOU.
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