XN000022-1990-05-09 — Page 27

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1990

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PRIME CONCERN IS MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD OF DELIVERY

WHILE CORE ACTIVITIES WILL NECESSARILY CONTINUE TO BE CARRIED OUT BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER OTHER WAYS OF DELIVERING SERVICES WHERE IT CAN SEE CLEAR ADVANTAGES IN SO DOING, PARTICULARLY WHERE A QUASI-COMMERCIAL ROLE IS INVOLVED.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE CONCLUDED THE DEBATE ON THE BUDGET.

IN REPLY TO SOME MEMBERS' CALL FOR FURTHER CORPORATISATION, PRIVATISATION OR OTHER ASPECTS OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNEMNT'S PRIME CONCERN WAS TO ENSURE THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES AND THAT IT WAS NOT DOCTRINAIRE IN ITS APPROACH.

' CURRENTLY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

"TRADING FUND STATUS IS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND PARTS OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.

SAID.

"A NEW STATUS IS PLANNED FOR RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG," HE

THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO KEEP WATCH FOR APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY IN THIS WAY, HE ADDED.

NEED TO BROADEN TAX BASE RESTATED

* * * * *

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY,

THE HON

SIR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY

(WEDNESDAY) EMPHASISED THE NEED TO BROADEN THE TAX BASE, SAYING IT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT THEME OF ALL HIS BUDGETS.

SIR PIERS WAS CONCLUDING THE DEBATE OF THE APPROPRIATION 1990 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

BILL

SETTING OUT THE ARGUMENT FOR BROADENING THE TAX BASE, SIR PIERS THE STARTING POINT OF HIS FISCAL POLICY WAS THAT IT MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH OUR ECONOMIC POLICIES.

SAID

"THIS MEANS THAT I MUST ALWAYS ENSURE THAT OUR FISCAL SYSTEM DOES NOT ENDANGER THE STABILITY AND CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY.

"AT THE SAME TIME, I MUST ALSO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE REVENUE AVAILABLE TO FUND SUCH PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE AS IS PERMITTED THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY," HE SAID.

IS

BY

/SIR PIERS