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I am talking about the Education & Manpower Branch. You said that there is a relation between education and manpower. Now let me talk about labour instead of manpower; labour is a clearer sector. If there is a branch to look at employment and the future development of manpower it should be something to be separated from education because there is a heavier workload for the labour sector. I hope you will consider my suggestion.
Governor: As I said, I don't rule out thinking about that as a matter of principle but I do think that there are practical advantages in relating education and labour market policies, and skill-training is only one aspect of that.
I acknowledge what the honourable member said in the first part of his second question when he paid, with his typical courtesy, a deserved tribute to the officials who work in the Labour Department and related areas.
Mrs Elizabeth Wong: Thank you Mr President. Governor, I shall not ask a hypothetical question, I would like to return to the question on working relations with the Preparatory Committee. I read in the papers - and I always believe what I read in the papers
that several thousand crack members of the Chinese Garrison will be posted to Hong Kong. And also, according to the papers, each soldier will be paid a miserable wage of between $800 - $1,100 per month - Hong Kong dollars - which is in fact less than Hong Kong's CSSA. Now some Hong Kong people feel very concerned about this as it is not fair to these soldiers; the cost of living in Hong Kong is very high compared with that in China.
My question is, if you ever get to exchange views with members of the Preparatory Committee, would you consider suggesting that the Chinese Garrison posted to Hong Kong should get a Hong Kong cost of living allowance additional to the salary, payable by the Chinese Central Government since defence and foreign affairs are strictly matters for the Chinese Government?
Governor: I think the Honourable lady's question will have made her even more popular in the People's Liberation Army than she doubtless is already. I think the fact that the honourable lady has raised the question will ensure that it gets public attention. I don't think it would be proper for me to comment on the pay and conditions of service of members of the PLA but obviously the Honourable lady raises a realistic issue.
I have to say in passing that though they are paid rather more, I think some members of the British Garrison in recent years have found the cost of living, not least the cost of beer, in Hong Kong rather more than they think their wages allow for.