7
Thursday, March 16, 1972
On the Civil Service, Mr. Browne said he was glad to hear that the Organisational Surveys Unit had now been moved into the Finance Branch.
"I hope it will be strengthened and expanded and that it will be
effectively used as a tool; firstly, to streamline existing Government
systems and procedures, and second to spearhead an economy drive on Government
spending."
In suggesting an economy drive, he wanted it made clear that
Hong Kong was well served by the Public Service, he said.
However, there was always room for savings in any large organisation,
and Government could be no exception, he added.
Determined Drive
With the Public Service at almost 100,000 strong and costing
nearly 50 per cent of recurrent revenue a new and determined drive was
needed to reduce waste and increase productivity, he said.
"I hope this suggestion will be seriously considered, even if it
means writing new terms of reference for the 0.S.U. perhaps tripling its
size, employing consultants whenever necessary, and perhaps putting a Senior
Administrative Officer in charge of the whole effort," he said.
Supporting the Financial Secretary's budgetting for a modest
surplus, Mr. Browne said commitments to considerable and increasing recurrent
expenditure in education, medical, social welfare and other items might well
lead the Colony into deficits later in the 1970s.
"I am glad that a start has been made in borrowing from the Asian
Development Bank for capital projects," he said.
/But there
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