XN000022-1982-10-27 — Page 15

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1982

MR WONG ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER ISSUING OLD PEOPLE OVER 60 OR 65 WITH A SENIOR CITIZEN CARD WHICH

AND ENTITLES THEM TO CONCESSIONARY RATES ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTS, ADMISSION TO CULTURAL OR RECREATIONAL EVENTS.

ON MEDICAL SERVICES, MR WONG CALLED FOR THE EARLY CONSTRUCTION OF A HOSPITAL SERVING THE EASTERN DISTRICT.

SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF PRECIOUS LIFE, HE WARNED.

+ IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSTANTLY REVIEW THE PRIORITIES OF VARIOUS PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS, HE ADDED.

AS FOR SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, MR WONG SAID HE WAS GLAD TO NOTE THAT THE REVIEW ON THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES WILL BE COMPLETED SHORTLY AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE URGENT ATTENTION TO ITS FINDINGS,

+HOWEVER, HE ADDED, +APART FROM EXPANDING MEDICAL AND SOCIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR SUCH PATIENTS, GOVERNMENT SHOULD URGENTLY CONSIDER THE MANPOWER NEEDS IN THIS AREA AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY VOCATIONAL AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR STAFFS AT ALL LEVELS.

HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE WHETHER THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH.

ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, MR WONG SAID HE AGREED WITH THE GOVERNOR THAT +WE SHALL BE PRUDENT IN OUR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR WE MUST NOT LIVE BEYOND OUR MEANS+.

IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG, HE POINTED OUT, IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO PURSUE A POLICY OF DEFICIT FINANCING.

+HOW THE VARIOUS PRIORITIES SHOULD BE SET IS A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

+BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT UNDER YOUR EXCELLENCY'S ABLE ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE IN THE SPENDING OF PUBLIC MONEY, MR WONG SAID.

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