XN000022-1986-03-27 — Page 38

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THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986

FURTHERMORE, MR LEE SAID, HE FELT THAT AS A SURCHARGE WAS IMPOSED ON OVERDUE TAX, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY INTEREST TO TAXPAYERS ON REFUNDS WHICH WERE NOT MADE WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD.

COMMENTING ON THE SERVICES OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT, MR LEE SAID THEY SHOULD KEEP PACE WITH GROWING SOPHISTICATION OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

+FOR INSTANCE, AN ADVANCE CLEARANCE SCHEME SHOULD BE

PROVIDED, WHEREBY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES MAY PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS OF LARGESCALE TRANSACTIONS TO SEEK CLARIFICATION ON TAX CALCULATIONS AND THE GENERAL ANTI-AVOIDANCE SECTION (S. 61A) HE SAID.

THE ADVICE SO RECEIVED WOULD LEAD TO WELL-INFORMED BUSINESS DECISION, MAKING HONG KONG COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES PROVIDING THIS SERVICE SUCH AS AUSTRALIA AND THE U.S., HE ADDED.

HE ALSO STRESSED THAT THE STAFF OF THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED AND ADEQUATE TRAINING OFFERED. TURNING TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE NOTED THAT A REVIEW WAS SCHEDULED FOR 1987 BUT THE COLLECTION OF PUBLIC OPINION AND PREPARATORY WORK NEEDED TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 1986.

IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID HE HOPED SOME NEW POSTS

IN THE CIVIL SERVICE COULD BE USED TO IMPROVE SECRETARIAL SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD A DISTINCTIVE ROLE TO PLAY AND DIRECT CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WAS NECESSARY.

+THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN ASSISTANCE IN THE OPERATION OF OFFICES FOR MEETING THE PUBLIC AND I HOPE A DECISION WILL SOON BE MADE ON THIS SUBJECT, HE SAID.

ON EDUCATION, MR LEE SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF ALLOCATION BUT EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES AND THE NEED FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

HE LISTED THE QUALITY OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION, EXAMINATION PRESSURE AND THE LACK OF SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES AS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH DESERVED ATTENTION.

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