CO129-584-2 Estimates 1941-2 21-2-1941 - 11-6-1941 — Page 360

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Gentlemen

Sir,

I rise to propose the motion standing in my name.

On 16th January, 1941, by a Resolution of this

Council the draft estimates of expenditure for 1941-42 were

referred to a Select Committee consisting of myself, the

Financial Secretary and all unofficial members of this Council.

We now present our report in the form of the amended print

bearing today's date.

As foreshadowed in the speech of the Honourable

Financial Secretary on 16th January the provision for the

construction of a new Lighthouse Tender has been excised.

It has also been decided not to proceed during the coming

financial year with the building of the proposed new block of

offices and quarters at the Central Police Station, though a

token vote of $50,000 remains in the draft estimates to cover

any expenditure that may have been incurred in the preparatory

work of drawing up plans, etc. Similarly the Select Committee

felt that the times are not sufficiently propitious and the

plans not sufficiently matured to permit the building of the

proposed new Infectious Diseases Hospital at the Kowloon Medical

Centre. The Budget Committee realises that this hospital is

recommended in the Technical Hospitalization Committee's report,

1938-1939, as the first major item in a long-term programme

but it feels that, apart from difficulties of providing the

necessary building materials, this is not the time or place to

embark immediately on this hospital. The sum of $100,000 has

however been provided which is larger than the usual "token

vote" in case it may be possible in the coming year to make a

start. The provision of funds for the equipment of this

hospital has been omitted as it is felt that, apart from the

uncertainty which surrounds the hospital itself, there are at

least hopes of considerable emergency stores being available

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