XN000022-1994-03-30 — Page 48

15

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994

NEVERTHELESS, SHE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD GIVEN SERIOUS

ΤΟ CONSIDERATION

POSSIBLE WAYS OF ENHANCING THE

OF PERCEPTION

THE INDEPENDENCE OF LEGAL AID ADMINISTRATION.

LAST YEAR A NUMBER OF OPTIONS WERE PUT FORWARD IN THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID.

STATUTORY

ONE OF THESE WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF PUBLICLY FUNDED LEGAL AID SERVICES.

AN

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL

WORKING GROUP IS STUDYING THE VIEWS

EXPRESSED ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER.

**THE ADMINISTRATION AIMS TO REACH A DECISION ON THIS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, SHE SAID.

1

ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT A REDUCTION IN THE PROVISION FOR LITIGATION IN 1994/95, MRS CHAN SAID THE REDUCTION WAS DUE SOLEY ΤΟ THE FACT THAT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS NEEDED FOR SOMB EXCEPTIONALLY LENGTHY AND COMPLEX CASES IN 1993/94 WHICH WERE NOT EXPECTED TO RECUR THIS YEAR.

THE PRESENT PROVISION FOR LITIGATION IS CALCULATED ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN 1994/95.

ON

THE

"BUT IT IS NOT CASH LIMITED. SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THIS COUNCIL IF AND WHEN ADDITIONAL LITIGATION EXPENSES ARE NEEDED.

"THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO ITS POLICY OF PROVIDING LEGAL AID SERVICES ON A DEMAND BASIS," SHE SAID.

0

GOVT DETERMINES TO TACKLE PROPERTY PRICES

THE

OF

THE

VIEW то

IS DETERMINED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM GOVERNMENT RISE IN PROPERTY PRICES AND IS WORKING VERY HARD NOW WITH A DEVISING A PACKAGE OF MEASURES IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS' TIME.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, AT THE BUDGET LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

FOR DEBATE

PLANNING, IN THE

MR MAK SAID A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE WOULD BE TO SPEARHEAD THE TASK OF SUPPLYING MORE DEVELOPABLE LAND.

SET UP

HE SAID THE TASK FORCE HEADED BY HIS BRANCH WOULD COMPRISE PROFESSIONAL STAFF REPRESENTATIVES FROM WORKS BRANCH, FINANCE BRANCH,

AND DEPARTMENT

FROM THE

PLANNING

DEPARTMENT, LANDS

DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

TERRITORY

/"IT WILL