15
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989
THE
FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT
THE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET, THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT HAVE TO RE-EXAMINE THE NEEDS IN RELATION ΤΟ THE IMPORTATION OF ADDITIONAL LABOUR.
"WE MUST, NEVERTHELESS, ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONCERN OF WORKFORCE REGARDING THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON WAGES OPPORTUNITIES." SIR PIERS SAID.
THE LOCAL
AND JOB
STRICT OBSERVANCE OF PRIORITIES REQUIRED
*
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE RESOURCES NEEDED FOR THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY CAN BE SECURED, BUT THIS WILL TAKE DETERMINATION. STRICT OBSERVANCE OF PRIORITIES AND SELF-DISCIPLINE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"FUNDING ON THIS UNPRECEDENTED SCALE WILL REQUIRE AN EQUALLY UNPRECEDENTED EFFORT FROM ALL OF US," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS ONLY тоо AWARE OF THE DEMANDS ON HONG KONG'S RESOURCES FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL AND HUMAN THAT THE PROGRAMME WOULD REQUIRE.
HE SAID THE PROGRAMME HAD NOT BEEN ADOPTED LIGHTLY OR WITHOUT THE MOST PAINSTAKING CONSIDERATION OF WHAT WAS ENTAILED.
"AS REGARDS TO FINANCING. I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE NECESSARY RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND. ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL COST IS HIGH, I AM ALSO CONFIDENT THAT IT IS NOT SO HIGH THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD IT.
DEVELOPMENTS
"INDEED. WE CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE INVOLVED GIVEN THEIR IMPORTANCE TO OUR CONTINUED WELL-BEING," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT IMPLEMENTATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY RIGOROUS CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, SIR PIERS ADDED: "WE SHALL HAVE TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND SCRUTINISE CLOSELY EXPENDITURE ON EXISTING SERVICES.'
"
"IN CONSIDERING WHAT WE CAN AFFORD. WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THE LONGER TERM BENEFITS ACCRUING FROM THE EVENTUAL RELEASE OF THE LAND CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY KAI TAK.
"THE FACT THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECTS IS SPREAD OVER MANY YEARS WILL ALSO GIVE US SCOPE TO PHASE EXPENDITURE CAREFULLY, HE SAID.
/"THERE IS
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