XN000022-1983-02-23 — Page 25

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983

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3.34 MILLION PEOPLE EXPECTED TO LIVE IN NEW TOWNS ON FULL DEVELOPMENT

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THE ESTIMATED POPULATION ON FULL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWNS AND OTHER RURAL TOWNSHIPS IS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT 3.34 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

AND THE EXPECTED POPULATION AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH IS 1.38 MILLION WHICH MAY GROW TO 1.58 MILLION BY THE END OF MARCH 1984, HE SAID.

MR BREMRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRIME PURPOSE OF THE NEW TOWNS AT TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, TAI PO AND FANLING, YUEN LONG AND JUNK BAY IS TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THE GROWING AND GENERALLY OVERCROWDED POPULATION OF HONG KONG COMPLETE WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ALL THE RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING SERVICES.+

HE ADDED THAT INCREASED EMPHASIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PLACED ON THE PRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING POPULATIONS OF THE NEW TOWNS.

MR BREMRIDGE PROPOSED TO SPEND $257.3 MILLION ON SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TOWNS, COMPARED TO $195.5 MILLION IN 1982-83. OTHER ALLOCATION PROPOSALS ARE:

* HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

* RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

* OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS

$217.3 MILLION ($157.4 MILLION

IN 1982-83)

$240.3 MILLION ($118.7 MILLION)

$270.3 MILLION ($165,5 MILLION)

PLAN TO COPE WITH FORM THREE LEAVERS

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THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO INCREASE DURING THE 1980'S THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES TO MEET THE FULL DEMAND FROM FORM THREE LEAVERS WHO ARE SUITABLE FOR THE COURSES PROVIDED, IT IS INDICATED IN THE BUDGET FOR 1983-84, PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

EXPENDITURE TOWARDS THIS AIM IS ENVISAGED TO BE $1 889 MILLION FOR THE 1983-84 YEAR ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR OF $1 742 MILLION.

THE TOTAL