XN000022-1981-03-11 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1981

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SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS AMOUNTING TO $1 805 MILLION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1980-81.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HENRY CHING SAID THAT OF THIS SUM, $651 MILLION WAS REQUIRED TO BUY INTO THE EXISTING STOCKS AND ASSETS OF THE RESIDENT GARRISON, WHILE ANOTHER $595 MILLION WAS REQUIRED ON ACCOUNT OF SALARY REVISIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND STAFF OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.

A SUM OF $198 MILLION WAS REQUIRED FOR MEETING INCREASED COSTS OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS' CASH CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THE DEFENSE COSTS AGREEMENT AND ANOTHER $141 MILLION WAS SPENT ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS (INCLUDING 26 PROJECTS UPGRADED TO OR INCLUDED IN CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME).

MR CHING SAID THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION RESULTED IN A NET INCREASE OF $1 463 MILLION IN THE EXPENDITURE APPROVED FOR THE YEAR, THE REMAINDER BEING OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE.

THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED A MOTION, SEEKING FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR ON APRIL 1, 1981 AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE.

TAXI TRADE UNDER REVIEW

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THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE ISSUE OF URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES AFTER THE CURRENT TIME LIMITS EXPIRE.

AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A MOTION EXTENDING THE TIME LIMIT FOR REGISTRATION OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS BY FOUR MONTHS TO JULY 31, 1981 TO SYNCHRONISE IT WITH THE LIMIT FOR URBAN TAXIS.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO KEEP THE OPERATIONS OF THE TAXI TRADE UNDER CAREFUL REVIEW.

HE SAID THE NUMBER OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WERE INCREASED FROM 738 TO 838 IN SEPTEMBER 23, 1980 TO CATER FOR THE DEMAND ARISING FROM THE INCREASING POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE NEW LICENCES WERE ISSUED BY TENDER IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR.