XN000022-1979-03-28 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1979

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SHE SUGGESTED THAT THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS PROVIDING FREE EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS WELL AS ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS, CONTINUANCE OF FEES IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS BUT WITH MUCH MORE ALLOWANCE FOR FEE REMISSION, OR SUBSIDISING TEACHING OF FRENCH IN DESIGNATED SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE SECOND LANGUAGE FOR THESE CHILDREN.

EACH OF THESE WILL COST MONEY BUT SHE BELIEVED PROVISION MUST BE MADE IN THE BUDGET.

SHE SUGGESTED THAT ONE WAY TO PROVIDE REASONABLY PRICED EDUCATION FOR THESE CHILDREN IS TO EMPLOY LOCAL CITIZENS WHO HAVE RETURNED FROM LESS EXAMINATION-ORIENTED STUDIES OVERSEAS. THEY DO NOT REQUIRE HOUSING AND TRAVEL AND ARE VERY CAPABLE OF EDUCATING THE CHILDREN, SHE SAID.

TURNING TO THE AREA OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MISS BENNETT URGED THAT INSTITUTIONS SERVING CHILDREN AND OLD PEOPLE BE GIVEN CLEAR-CUT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENCOURAGE MORE SUCH INSTITUTIONS TO BE RUN.

THE PRESENT SUBVENTION ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH FIVE STAGES UNDER THE ONE-LINE VOTE ARE CLUMSY AND TIME-CONSUMING AND UNCERTAIN, SHE SAID.

UNDER A CODE OF AID, THE GOVERNMENT COULD MAINTAIN A MUCH STRICTER CONTROL OF BUDGETTING AND EXPENDITURE, SHE ADDED. AT PRESENT, WITH LUMP-SUM SUBVENTIONS, ONCE AN INSTITUTION HAS HAD ITS SUBVENTION CUT BY THE AMOUNT OF ITS SURPLUS IN A YEAR, IT WILL BE VERY CAREFUL TO SPEND ITS FUNDS UP TO THE HILT NEXT YEAR, SHE SAID.

SHE ALSO THOUGHT THE GRANTS GIVEN BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST, THE LOTTERIES FUND AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OUGHT TO BE STUDIED TO SEE HOW THEY CAN BEST HELP VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT AT PRESENT IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE.

CALL ON GENERAL LEVY TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

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THE HON. FRANCIS TIEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE EARLY APPROVAL TO A PROPOSAL BY THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TO SET UP A GENERAL LEVY TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, WHEN HE SPOKE AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE COUNCIL HAS ESTIMATED THAT A VERY SMALL GENERAL LEVY WOULD SUFFICE TO FINANCE:

* THE EXISTING CONSTRUCTION AND CLOTHING INDUSTRIES TRAINING

SCHEMES-