XN000022-1990-11-07 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990

MRS

WONG SAID SOME MEMBERS HAD CRITICISED GOVERNMENT FUNDING COMMITMENT AND EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY INTENTIONS AS SET OUT IN THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER AND THEY ALSO URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO AFFIRM ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES.

"I WELCOME SUCH CRITICISM.

"CRITICISMS

OF

THIS KIND, ALBEIT BASED IN PART ON MISTAKEN ASSUMPTIONS, WILL BE HELPFUL TO ME IN SECURING BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION IN FUTURE NO DOUBT,' SHE SAID.

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SHE EXPLAINED THAT SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE, UNLIKE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, WAS PRIMARILY RECURRENT AND REPRESENTED A PERMANENT COMMITMENT.

"I SHOULD LIKE TO ADD, TOO, THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF THE ENTIRE SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE TO THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN RISING STEADILY FROM FOUR PER CENT 10 YEARS AGO TO 6.1 PER CENT IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.

"IT IS FORECAST THAT THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE IN THE COMING YEARS, MRS WONG SAID.

II

SHE SAID SHE SHARED THE BELIEF OF THE WORKING PARTY THAT THE COMMITMENTS CONTAINED IN ITS DRAFT WERE AFFORDABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT.

"AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE REALISE THAT GOVERNMENT FUNDS COME FROM TAXPAYERS AND OUR HOPE LIES IN THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY SO AS TO ENABLE US TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS BUT BETTER MEANS, AND TO CUT OUR COAT ACCORDING TO OUR CLOTH BUT FINER CLOTH, SHE SAID.

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SHE THANKED MEMBERS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE DEBATE AND JOINED IN THEIR CALL FOR THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER BEFORE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ENDED ON DECEMBER 17.

HK ANTI II-LAWS EFFECTIVE: ASPREY

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG HAS IN PLACE LAWS WHICH EFFECTIVELY DETERS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IMMIGRATION

WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE (AMENDMENT} BILL 1990, MR ASPREY SAID GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WERE VERY WELL AND VERY QUICKLY KNOWN TO PROSPECTIVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA.

/REPLYING TO