XN000022-1984-11-07 — Page 14

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1984

SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR FIRST QUARTER

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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1984-85 AMOUNTED TO $44,1 MILLION.

SIR JOHN SAID THAT THIS SUM INCLUDED $10 MILLION FOR A PAYMENT TO THE MASS TRANSIT FUND, $6 MILLION TO MEET AN INCREASED REQUIREMENT FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF COMMERCIAL CRIME, $4.9 MILLION TO MEET INCREASED EXPENDITURE OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION $4.75 MILLION TO MEET THE INCREASED COST OF THE CONSULTANCY ON A VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, $3.3 MILLION FOR PAY AND ALLOWANCES FOR THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE. AND $3 MILLION FOR PAYMENT TO THE CROSS, HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY IN RESPECT OF TICKETS FOR EXEMPTED PERSONS.

THERE WILL BE NO NET INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE RESULTING FROM THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTES, HE SAID.

+DURING THE QUARTER, A NET INCREASE OF 1 236 POSTS WAS APPROVED, INCLUDING POSTS FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN COUNCIL,+ SIR JOHN ADDED.

HE NOTED THAT APPROVED COMMITMENTS HAD BEEN INCREASED BY $134.6 MILLION AND NEW COMMITMENTS OF $32.5 MILLION HAD BEEN APPROVED. THESE REPRESENTED A 5.5 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE TOTAL COMMITMENT BALANCE OF $3 044.9 MILLION IN THE 1984-85 ESTIMATES.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.

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