Under Other Charges and Special Expenditure, the Finan- cial Secretary said, a sum of just under $2.000.000 has been pro- vided for the equipment and trairg of the infantry unit. The limates for the Naval and Airforce components total $209,- 282 and $135.930 respectively, but they are still very tentative.
Funds are provided under sub- head 7 of the Head Public Works Extraordinary to enable a start to be made on the projected new headquarters for the Defence Force. This is provisionally es- timated at $5,000,000. However, the exact requirements have not been decided, and it is improba- ble that more than $500,000 will be required to cover the work up to the end of the financial year 1949-50.
Anti-Tuberculosis Work
In connection with the anti- tuberculosis work of the Medical Department, Mr. Follows said that two tuberculosis clinics, one on each side of the harbour, will be constructed. In view of the fact that the contribution from the Red Cross Society will not suffice to meet the whole cost of either building, the pro- vision in the estimate has there- fore been raised from $100,000 to $240,000.
The government has also made a subsidy of $150,000 to the Anti- Tuberculosis Association.
Under the Police Force Head provision has been made for an additional 14 assistant superin- tendents and 557 constables.
On the whole, the strength. of the Hongkong Police has been increased from 2,220 at the fall of Hongkong to 4,129 today. Hence the total increase in ex- penditure under this head is of the order of $2,250,000, including some $900,000 for new equip-| ment, Mr. Follows said. An additional sum of $1,000,000 is provided under sub-head 11, Public Works Extraordinary, to enable a start to be made on Police quarters for the rank and file. A sum of approximately $6,500,000 is also being made available from Loan Funds for the completion of the Divisional Headquarters at Kowloon City and for stations at a number of other places.
Mr. Follows' report also con- tained information on construc- tion of new and improvement of old roads in the New Territories, reconstruction of Kai Tak Air- port, government housing, and rehabilitation of the water sup- ply.
Admitting that the total of $13,250,000 paid out in Subven- tions is an extremely high figure, Mr. Follows said that of these,. $7,917,000 is paid in grants to grant-aided and vernacular schools, while $1,500,000 goes to the Hongkong University. He add- ed that $2,625,000 represents the subsidy to the Tung Wah group of hospitals and to the Alice Memorial Hospital, while $150- 000 goes to the Anti-Tuberculosis Association.
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