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Question (? speaker): Just going on from that, I think there's been a few rumblings in the pro-China press today. Are you resigned to criticisms from the Chinese quarter that you are spending too much on social welfare or going in the direction of a welfare state?
FS: We are certainly not going into a welfare state but we certainly believe that welfare is important in this community. We have noted the Chinese side comments, we have to say it, not for the first time, and we have taken that into account in constructing the budget. But there are contending pressures in the community and if you hear, I'm sure you all have, what has been said so far by Legislative Council across the board practically, there seems to be more criticism on what they call the inadequate provision in this regard.
So some balance needs to be struck and 1 believe the Administration has struck the right balance in producing the Budget. And the same point I think was echoed in my meeting with the District Boards and the Municipal Council this morning and I gather that various Chairmen had consulted their constituency before the meeting today. They seem to agree that we have struck the right balance, hence the score of 80 points.
Question (HK Economic Journal - in Cantonese): Again some questions raised by pro- China newspapers. Now in some of their editorials and commentaries it was said that there was such huge tax concessions but at the same time there wouldn't be an additional increased income from land sales, so where does the money come from? That seems to be the question asked and they say that for many of the spending items and revenue proposals (it) means that the SAR Government would have to pick up the bills and also there are some items which may have an impact on the 1997-98 budget. So are you confident that they will allow you to carry out those proposals after next year?
FS (in Cantonese): Of course there are a lot of comments expressed and varied comments too. I think it is important we must bear in mind the fact that Hong Kong is a vibrant society, it is still on the move, it is not stagnant in any way. So there are some projects that are still on going. There are some projects reaching their peak and there are other projects which are just about to commence. So we can't say that on 30 June, 1997, all projects must come to a halt and then starting from I July, 1997, we only start new projects then so that there wouldn't be projects straddling 1997. We can't do that because if we do that it means everything must come to a halt or come to completion on 30 June, 1997, before we start new infrastructural projects.
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