XN000022-1994-10-03 — Page 2

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1994

THE

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CHIEF SECRETARY PRESENTS PROGRESS REPORT ON POLICY ADDRESS UNDERTAKINGS

IN

CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, PRESENTED TODAY (MONDAY) PROGRESS REPORT ON THE UNDERTAKINGS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES.

"I AM GLAD TO PRESENT THE PROGRESS REPORT AND TO SHARE WITH YOU THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND RANGE OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, MRS CHAN SAID.

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THE 1992 AND 1993 POLICY ADDRESSES ANNOUNCED A COMBINED TOTAL OF 221 SPECIFIC POLICY PROPOSALS, EACH AIMED AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE.

"THE

GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCOUNT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE PROGRESS MADE IN HONOURING ITS COMMITMENTS. WE ARE, THEREFORE, PUBLISHING THE PROGRESS REPORT TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO JUDGE THE GOVERNMENT'S PERFORMANCE, THE AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AS WELL AS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ANY SHORTFALLS OR DELAYS, SHE SAID.

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OF THE 221 COMMITMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED 75 IN FULL, AND WILL CONTINUE TO HONOUR ANOTHER 31 ON-GOING INITIATIVES. THE REMAINING 115 COMMITMENTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED AND WILL BE FULLY HONOURED BY 1997 OR BEFORE.

"I AM GLAD TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE WELL ON TARGET TO MEET VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR OBJECTIVES. INDEED, WE HAVE DONE EXCEPTIONALLY WELL IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, INCLUDING EMPLOYEE RETRAINING, PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS, PROVISION OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND INCREASE IN RECURRENT SPENDING ON EDUCATION, WHERE WE ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, MRS CHAN SAID.

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THE PROGRESS REPORT ALSO IDENTIFIES 13 UNDERTAKINGS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS BEHIND SCHEDULE.

"WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THOSE UNDERTAKINGS WHERE

WE ARE BEHIND SCHEDULE AND EXPLAINED FULLY THE REASONS FOR THE SHORTFALLS. BUT LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE TAKING THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURES POSSIBLE. TO CATCH UP WITH THE ORIGINAL TARGETS, AND BELIEVE THAT WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO HONOUR OUR COMMITMENTS IN THESE AREAS, MRS CHAN SAID.

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SHE INVITED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO READ THE PROGRESS REPORT AND ASSESS FOR THEMSELVES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT.

OF NEXT MADE ON

"THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PUBLICATION YEAR'S REPORT TO GIVE AN UP-TO-DATE ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS ALL OUTSTANDING COMMITMENTS, TOGETHER WITH THOSE SET OUT IN THIS YEAR'S ADDRESS, MRS CHAN SAID.

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COPIES OF THE PROGRESS REPORT IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CENTRAL AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM TODAY AT SIX MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AT CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN

TONG.

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