XN000022-1983-03-23 — Page 20

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1983

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CALL FOR GREATER COST-EFFECTIVENESS

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A CALL FOR REVIVAL OF THE DEPARTMENTAL COST REDUCTION COMMITTEE CONCEPT TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS WAS MADE BY DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI.

HE SAID SUCH COMMITTEES WERE CONSIDERED VERY EFFECTIVE IN LOCATING AREAS WHERE SAVINGS IN EXPENDITURE COULD BE FOUND DURING THE ECONOMIC RECESSION IN THE EARLY 1970'S.

ALTHOUGH THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WERE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE IN REVEALING INADEQUACIES IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND IN MAKING PUBLIC OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEM, THEIR FINDINGS WERE NEVERTHELESS HISTORICAL+, DR HO SAID.

+WHAT WE NEED IN ADDITION IS AN ON-GOING MECHANISM WHEREBY DEPARTMENTS ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING THEIR EXPENDITURE, AND CONTROLLING OFFICERS CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF THE CONCEPT OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS, + HE SAID,

IN ADDITION TO EFFECTING POSSIBLE SAVINGS ON SUCH ITEMS AS FUEL, LIGHT AND POWER, STORES AND EQUIPMENT, TRANSPORT AND TRAVELLING, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENTAL COST REDUCTION COMMITTEES SHOULD ALSO LOOK INTO:

* THE RATIONALISATION AND POSSIBLE MERGER OF FUNCTIONS

TO OPTIMISE RESOURCES AND AVOID DUPLICATION ;

* THE EXISTING RANGE OF SERVICES TO CHECK, IN THE LIGHT

OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT THEY ARE STILL SERVING THE INTENDED PURPOSES, AND

* THE MAJOR ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE, ESPECIALLY THOSE

INVOLVED PHASED IMPLEMENTATION, TO AVOID DELAY, SLIPPAGES AND THE INEVITABLE RESULT - INCREASE IN COST.

TURNING TO ADULT EDUCATION, DR HO MAINTAINED THAT THIS FORM OF ACADEMIC OR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WAS ESPECIALLY USEFUL IN HONG KONG.

+A VERSATILE, ADAPTABLE MANPOWER IS ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, HE STATED.

+THE GOVERNMENT MUST THEREFORE NOT CEASE TO PROVIDE OR UPGRADE RESEARCH AND TRAINING FACILITIES IN A BID TO MODERNISE OUR TECHNOLOGY AND TO UPDATE OUR SKILLED MANPOWER, SO THAT OUR WORK- FORCE IS EVER READY TO CAPITALISE ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPTURN, WHEN THE SLIGHTEST SIGNS OF RECOVERY BEGIN TO SURFACE.+

LTFOUGH

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