XN000022-1982-11-11 — Page 3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11,

1982

HE REITERATED THAT STEADY NERVES WOULD BE REQUIRED OF ALL OF US OVER THE COMING MONTHS, AND WE MUST ALL WORK TOGETHER IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF MUTUAL TRUST.

+THE GOVERNMENT WILL PLAY ITS PART IN DEVELOPING SUCH AN ATMOSPHERE THROUGH THE CONSULTATIVE SYSTEM AND, PARTICULARLY, BY WORKING IN CLOSE CONCERT WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS, HE SAID.

SIR PHILIP STRESSED THAT THIS GOVERNMENT CARES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FROM WHEREVER, AND WHENEVER, THEY HAVE COME HERE, AND ADDED IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRM INTENTION THAT HONG KONG SHALL REMAIN, AS A FREE SOCIETY, A DESIRABLE, REWARDING AND CHALLENGING PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK IN.+

NEW HK TRADE POST IN U.S. ****

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED PLANS TO RE-TITLE THREE SECRETARY POSTS AND TO CREATE A POST OF HONG KONG TRADE COMMISSIONER IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE CHANGES ARE AIMED AT ACHIEVING MORE APPROPRIATE GROUPINGS OF POLICY PROGRAMMES AND A BETTER BALANCE OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN POLICY BRANCHES IN THE SECRETARIAT.

IN HIS SPEECH CONCLUDING THE DEBATES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PHILIP SAID THE PRESENT SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND SECRETARY FOR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WILL BE RE-TITLED SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.

SIR PHILIP SAID THE SCHEDULE OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL BECOME MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH), SOCIAL WELFARE (INCLUDING CHILD WELFARE) AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS (BOTH PROTECTION AND HYGIENE).

THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REHABILITATION AND LABOUR MATTERS FROM THE PRESENT SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY THE NEW SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE BROADENED TO COVER ALL LEVELS AND TYPES OF EDUCATION.

COMMENTING ON REMARKS MADE BY DR THE HON HARRY FANG THAT THOUGHT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE CREATION OF A SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, SIR PHILIP SAID THERE COULD BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THE RANGE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH THE HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES.

/+BUT, AS