XN000022-1991-12-11 — Page 14

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1991

CENT

PER

THE SAVINGS TARGETS ARE ONE PER CENT, 2.2 PER CENT AND 2.6 OF THE TOTAL BASELINE EXPENDITURE OF THE INDIVIDUAL POLICY SECRETARIES' PROGRAMME AREAS FOR 1992/93, 1993/94, 1994/95 AND 1995/96 RESPECTIVELY.

"THE MAIN CRITERION USED IN IDENTIFYING SAVINGS IN MY PROGRAMME AREA IS TO EFFECT ECONOMIES IN THE WAY SERVICES ARE DELIVERED, BUT NOT TO WITHDRAW SERVICES WHICH ARE PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE POLICIES, SHE ADDED.

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WITH EXISTING

TO ACHIEVE SAVINGS IN THE WELFARE FIELD, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NO LONGER RECOGNISE, FOR SUBVENTION PURPOSES, ONE POST IN EACH CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE OR COMMUNITY CENTRE WITH A STUDY/READING ROOM NEXT YEAR.

"ADDITIONALLY, CORRESPONDING MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO DELETE ONE POST FROM EACH OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S GROUP WORK UNITS.

"THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTAL SAVINGS ARISING FROM MINOR MANAGERIAL ADJUSTMENTS.'

7+

MRS WONG SAID THERE APPEARED TO BE CONSIDERABLE CONFUSION ABOUT CONSULTATION.

SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FIRST INITIATED CONSULTATION WITH THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ABOUT THE REDUCTION IN SUBVENTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND COMMUNITY CENTRES WITH A STUDY/READING ROOM LAST MONTH.

"EARLIER CONSULTATION WAS NEITHER PRACTICABLE NOR OPPORTUNE. HAD THERE BEEN POLICY CHANGES INVOLVED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY TO BE CONSULT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY, COMMITTEE AND INDEED THIS WILL DONE FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS BEING CONSIDERED FOR SUBSEQUENT YEARS, MRS WONG SAID.

"THE ADMINISTRATION IS FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT WHETHER A

ROOM CENTRE-CUM-STUDY/READING

IS RUN BY 11 OR NINE OR 13 STAFF IS BASICALLY A MANAGEMENT/UTILISATION OF RESOURCES ISSUE AND DOES NOT ALTER THE POLICY THAT SUCH A CENTRE SHOULD PROVIDE COUNSELLING AND OUTREACHING SERVICES.

"THE

DECISION ON HOW TO ADJUST TO THE REDUCTION IN SUBVENTION FOR THESE CENTRES IS BASICALLY ONE FOR THE OPERATING AGENCIES.

"BY WAY OF FURTHER CLARIFICATION, I WISH TO STRESS THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION OF EXEMPTING ANY AREA OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE FROM

MEASURES TO SAVINGS

IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, VALUE FOR MONEY OR FOR MANAGEMENT/RESOURCES CONTROL REASONS.

"AS

MEASURES

THAT

REGARDS 1992/93, THE TARGET OF $61 MILLION IS STILL VERY FROM BEING MET AND ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO FURTHER MIGHT BE ADOPTED WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE CONSIDERED."

FAR

SHE UNDERTOOK TO CONSULT THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ANY REVISIONS TO THE POLICIES IMPLICIT IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND.

/EARLIER, MRS