XN000022-1991-03-06 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991

-

IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY HAD BEEN MADE IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT; A MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE POST OFFICE; VARIOUS URBAN SERVICES ABATTOIRS, MARKET CLEANSING AND STREET SWEEPING

WERE

TO BE CONTRACTED OUT, AS WAS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL; AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WERE BEING STREAMLINED.

"THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES," SIR PIERS SAID.

—

"BUT THEY INVOLVE ESTIMATED ANNUAL SAVINGS OF SOME $400 MILLION, NEARLY ALL TO BE SECURED WITHOUT ANY DIMINUTION OR DETERIORATION IN SERVICES."

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACHIEVED MUCH BUT THERE WAS STILL A LOT TO BE DONE AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST THEREFORE CONTINUE WITH THE TASK.

HE PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL SECRETARIES, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR STAFF, AND ΤΟ THE CIVIL SERVICE GENERALLY, FOR THEIR WHOLEHEARTED CO-OPERATION AND PARTICIPATION THROUGHOUT.

"WE COULD NOT HAVE ENJOYED THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR WITHOUT THEIR HELP, AND WE WILL NEED THEIR SUSTAINED SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN DISCIPLINE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, HE SAID.

FINANCIAL

OF

"I ALSO GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORBEARANCE OF MEMBERS THIS COUNCIL IN NOT BEING TOO DEMANDING FOR ADDITIONAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, HE ADDED.

STRONG FINANCIAL BASE MAKES POSSIBLE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLAN

**

FROM

THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FINANCE ITS CAPITAL PROGRAMME OPERATING SURPLUS AND CAPITAL REVENUE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO SO, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL FOR A TIME NEED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

WITHIN

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN PRESENTING HIS 1991-92 BUDGET, SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED AND CONTROLLED PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ITS BUDGETARY GUIDELINES AND AIMED, OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, TO THAT THE TREND GROWTH RATE IN EXPENDITURE DID NOT EXCEED GROWTH RATE IN GDP.

ENSURE

THE

TREND

TO WE

"BECAUSE OF THIS STRUCTURED AND CONTROLLED APPROACH EXPENDITURE, AND BECAUSE OF SOUND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GENERALLY,

BUILT UP A FINANCIAL POSITION WHICH MANY OTHER ECONOMIES MIGHT ENVY," SIR PIERS SAID.

HAVE

/"IT IS