XN000022-1982-01-20 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1982

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HE EXPLAINED THAT THE NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR ADMISSION THROUGH CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS INVOLVED MEDICAL EXAMINATION FIRST, AND THEN REGISTRATION OF PATIENTS, WHICH INCLUDES PROOF OF IDENTITY.

DR THONG SAID FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WHEN A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL- IMMIGRANT MOTHERS WENT RECENTLY FOR DELIVERY SERVICES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY GIVEN TREATMENT.

+THEIR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STATUS AND PROOF OF IDENTITIES WERE REGARDED AS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATTERS AND WERE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY, HE ADDED.

CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND APPROVED

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A CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED FROM APRIL 1, 1982 TO FINANCE EXPENDITURE ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND ON LAND ACQUISITION,

IT WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND FUNDED BY TRANSFERS FROM GENERAL REVENUE.

IN MOVING A MOTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FUND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID THIS WOULD OVERCOME PROBLEMS IN THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY FUNDS FOR CARRYING OUT THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND FOR LAND ACQUISITION WERE DIRECTLY VOTED IN THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE ARRANGEMENT CREATED PROBLEMS BECAUSE, UNLIKE MOST OTHER GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, CAPITAL WORKS USUALLY EXTEND OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE ACCURATELY THE PROVISION REQUIRED FOR ANY PARTICULAR YEAR DUE TO THE VAGARIES OF THE WEATHER, THE SUBMISSION OF BILLS, OR A CONTRACTOR'S CAPACITY TO COMPLETE THE WORK.

+FURTHERMORE, IN THE PAST THE TOTAL APPROVED PROVISION IN ANY YEAR FOR CAPITAL WORKS HAS BEEN TAKEN AS THE GOVERNMENT'S DECLARED INTENTION TO SPEND THE FULL AMOUNT, AND STEPS HAVE THUS BEEN TAKEN TO COUNTER ANY SHORTFALL IN EXPENDITURE BY INJECTING NEW PROJECTS INTO THE PROGRAMME TO TAKE UP THE SLACK.

+THIS PROCEDURE HAS HELPED TO ENSURE THAT THE TOTAL FUNDS VOTED HAVE BEEN FULLY EXPENDED, BUT IT HAS ALSO LED TO AN INCREASE IN THE CARRY FORWARD COMMITMENT FOR FUTURE YEARS THEREBY REDUCING THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE NEW ITEMS INTO THE PROGRAMME.

+FINALLY BECAUSE OF THE SUM INVOLVED, OVER OR UNDER-SPENDING ON THE NON-RECURRENT HEADS OF EXPENDITURE CAN MATERIALLY AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL SURPLUS OR DEFICIT FOR A GIVEN YEAR.+

/MR BREMRIDGE