XN000022-1990-04-26 — Page 10

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1990

BUT THE HALF-HEARTED ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (PHA) REPORT GAVE HONG KONG PEOPLE NO REASON FOR OPTIMISM ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE FUTURE H.A., HE ADDED.

HE POINTED OUT THAT EVEN IF THE H.A. WAS FORMED, IT WAS BUT A MANAGERIAL MACHINERY, AND A "COMPATIBLE POLICY BRANCH" WITH EXTRA MANPOWER WAS NEEDED TO UNDERTAKE LONG-TERM PLANNING WORK. MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL INPUT IN HIGH-LEVEL DECISION-MAKING WAS ALSO NECESSARY TO ASCERTAIN A MORE EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL MACHINERY.

"THERE IS AN UNDISPUTABLE NEED FOR AN INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT TO DO RESEARCHES AND PAPERS. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THE ADVISORY BOARDS WOULD GET THE MAXIMUM BACK-UP IN THEIR WORK, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR ROLE AS "THINK TANKS" WITH RECRUITMENT OF LOCAL TALENTS ΤΟ EXAMINE THE POLICY AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION, BECOMES REALISTIC, HE ADDED.

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DEAF EAR TO INCURRED BY

DR LEONG CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR TURNING A HIS SUGGESTION THAT MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE EXPENSES CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH BUDGET.

FROM OTHER

SUCH EXPENDITURES SHOULD BE RECOVERED

RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS UNDER STAFF COSTS, AND THE MONRY SO RECOVERED BE PROPERLY SPENT ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR WHICH THE BUDGET WAS SO ALLOTTED, HE SAID.

HK MUST STRIVE TO KEEP ITS INTERNATIONAL STATUS

THE PRIORITY FOR HONG KONG MUST BE TO STRENGTHEN, OR AT LEAST MAINTAIN, ITSELF AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, THE HON MRS RITA FAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).

SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MRS FAN SAID THAT THE TERRITORY'S COMPETITIVE EDGE WAS BEING GRADUALLY ERODED BY HIGH RENTAL, SPIRALLING WAGES, BRAIN DRAIN AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER.

SHE CALLED ON THE ADMINISTRATION ΤΟ MONITOR THE TREND OF INCREASED PUBLIC SPENDING VERY CLOSELY, AND BE FULLY AWARE OF ANY COMPETITIVE MEASURES TAKEN BY NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT, SO THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT LOSE OUT DUE TO INTERNAL OVER- HEATING AND INFLATION.

/NOTING THAT

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