XN000022-1992-02-10 — Page 6

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1992

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MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE BONDS MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AT 24TH FLOOR, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II. 18 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG OR ON TEL. 528 9110.

EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULITIPLES THEREOF.

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COMMITTEE MEETS TO REVIEW FEES AND WAIVERS

THE HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES FEES AND WAIVERS COMMITTEE, CONVENED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, MET FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY (MONDAY).

THE

THE COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS FORMED LAST MONTH, AIMS TO REVIEW EXISTING FEE AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES AND TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM FEE AND WAIVER STRATEGY.

WELCOMING MEMBERS TO THE MEETING, MRS WONG SAID AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE REVIEW WAS TO ENSURE PROVISION OF A PROPER SAFETY NET THROUGH A SOUND WAIVER SYSTEM.

MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF INTERESTS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE LOOKED TO THEM FOR EXPERTISE AND LEADERSHIP IN TACKLING AN ISSUE OF VITAL INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY.

MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SPATE OF SPECULATION ON HOSPITAL FEE INCREASES.

AT LARGE, THAT

"LET ME ASSURE YOU, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UNTIL A BROAD STRATEGY FOR FEES AND WAIVERS FOR THE LONG TERM IS IN PLACE, FEES WILL BE ADJUSTED ONLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING POLICY," SHE SAID.

AT TODAY'S MEETING, MEMBERS DISCUSSED BROADLY THE MODUS OPERANDI, SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND THEIR TERMS OF REFERENCE.

THE COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO A GREEN PÅPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR.

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