XN000022-1994-03-30 — Page 45

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994

- 12

HK'S FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR WORLD TO ENVY

*

HONG KONG'S FISCAL MANAGEMENT SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HAMI

CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE, SIR HAMISH SAID:

"I BELIEVE THAT IN OUR MODEST WAY WE SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD IN OUR FISCAL MANAGEMENT ZERO DEBT, USE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEREVER APPROPRIATE, SMALL GOVERNMENT, LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES, AND ADEQUATE RESERVES ΤΟ CUSHION US AGAINST DOWNSIDE RISKS.

"I WOULD ALSO HAVE TO MENTION OUR WILLINGNESS TO RETURN MONEY TO THE TAXPAYER WHEN IT IS MORE THAN WE NEED, RATHER THAN INCREASE EXPENDITURE TO USE UP THE AVAILABLE REVENUE,

AND

"

MORE BROADLY, HE SAID HONG KONG HAD A LAW-ABIDING, CONFIDENT COMMUNITY.

PROSPEROUS

HONG KONG ENJOYS GOOD ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FULL EMPLOYMENT. AND THE GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO CARRY ON INVESTING BOTH IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES, AND IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH ΤΟ CONTINUE.

TRAVEL.

"I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS IS THE PATH WE MUST CONTINUE TO

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.

POSITIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE CIVIL SERVICE MORALE: CS

{WEDNESDAY)

ACTION

ΤΟ

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY

THAT REITERATED

POSITIVE THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD TAKE MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE MORALE OF CIVIL SERVANTS.

"THE IMPENDING CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY HAS UNCERTAINTY SOME CONCERN AND

AMONG CIVIL UNDERSTANDABLE," SHE SAID.

UNDOUBTEDLY SERVANTS.

THIS

AROUSED IS

"BUT, GREATLY TO THE CREDIT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, AFFECTED THEIR WORK. MORALE REMAINS GENERALLY HIGH.

THIS HAS

NOT

"INDEED

ARE WE

CONSTANTLY

TRYING TO IMPROVE ON OUR

+1

PERFORMANCES, SHE ADDED.

OPENING THE

LN

THE

DETERMINED

то

RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET FOR 1994/95 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRESS AHEAD WITH LOCALISATION.

/SHE SAID: