XN000022-1972-11-01 — Page 20

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Wednesday, November 1, 1972

NEED FOR ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING

The Hon. H.J.C. Browne today suggested the setting up of a properly

staffed Organisation and Methods Department to examine the work done by government

departments and to review their existing establishments.

This would be in addition to the studies that are carried out by the

present ◊ and M section when a department asks for additional staff.

He said that with the high capital and recurrent expenditure facing

Hong Kong in the future, "there is even more need for economy in government

spending".

He hoped that by decentralising and streamlining, the load at the

top could be better spread and that a determined and sustained effort will be

made in all government departments to increase productivity.

However, he made it clear that Hong Kong was very well served by

the public service, "but the total cost is such a large slice of our annual

expenditure that we must introduce modern techniques to try to keep its size

and its cost down".

Mr. Browne said he was in favour of going ahead with all the major

proposals put forward by the Governor two weeks ago and no doubt the Financial

Secretary would be looking for ways to increase revenue.

"But in my view we cannot afford to introduce fiscal measures that

will disturb the climate that has enabled our economy to develop and thrive,

and made Hong Kong into an important international industrial and commercial

centre," he said.

/On the..

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