- 6-
Proposed estimates on education welcomed
In response to media enquiries, the Director of Education, Mrs Helen C P Lai Yu, today (Friday) welcomed the Government's proposal to allocate over $19 billion to the Education Department for recurrent spending in the 1996-97 financial year.
She said: "This is an increase of more than $727 million, or four per cent in real terms, over the 1995-96 revised estimates of $18.38 billion. The proposed allocation is evidence of the priority Government continues to give to education services.
"It will enable us to fulfil the Governor's policy commitments announced in October 1995 and to initiate new improvement measures as well as enhance some existing services."
End
Monetary statistics for January
Total deposits rose moderately in January while total loans and advances fell, according to statistics published by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority today (Friday).
months.
Table 1 summarises the figures for January and the comparisons with earlier
Deposits
Total deposits rose modestly by 0.2% in January, compared with the 1.6% increase in December. The growth was due to a 0.8% increase in Hong Kong dollar deposits, offsetting the 0.5% reduction in foreign currency deposits.
Within Hong Kong dollar deposits, demand deposits rose by 5.4% in January. Growth might have been boosted by the Chinese New Year payrolls and bonuses. Besides, refunds to unsuccessful subscribers of two new stock issues on January 31 might have also contributed to the increase in demand deposit growth.