XN000022-1994-10-05 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994

WE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE DETERMINED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG GOES ON BEING STABLE AND PROSPEROUS AND THAT IS WHY WE GO ON TAKING THE DECISIONS WHICH HAVE TO BE MADE, IMPLEMENTING THE IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICES WHICH THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS. THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY AN ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT.

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ON MONDAY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, PUBLISHED A DETAILED REPORT ON THE PROGRESS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN IMPLEMENTING THE 221 INITIATIVES I ANNOUNCED IN MY FIRST TWO POLICY ADDRESSES THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT RECORDS AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE BY THE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. 94 PER CENT OF THESE INITIATIVES HAVE EITHER BEEN MET OR ARE ON TARGET. WE HAVE FALLEN BEHIND WITH ONLY 13 OF THESE INITIATIVES. BUT EVEN HERE, WE ARE DETERMINED TO CATCH UP.

IN MY POLICY ADDRESS TODAY, I EXPLAINED THAT EACH POLICY SECRETARY, TOGETHER WITH THE JUDICIARY, THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S CHAMBERS AND THE ICAC HAS PREPARED A CLEAR STATEMENT OF HOW THEY ARE GOING TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE COMING YEAR. THEY SPELL OUT THEIR COMMITMENTS IN DETAIL. THEY ALSO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS THAT LIE AHEAD.

THE POLICY COMMITMENTS SET OUT 337 NEW UNDERTAKINGS, EACH OF WHICH WILL BRING REAL BENEFITS TO THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY. THESE POLICY COMMITMENTS WERE PUBLISHED EARLIER TODAY. WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO SPEND MONEY UNWISELY. AFTER ALL, IT'S YOUR MONEY. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE LOOKING AFTER IT PRUDENTLY

NEVER SPENDING MORE THAN HONG KONG CAN AFFORD. LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT OUR PLANS WILL MEAN FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:

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WE WILL BE PROVIDING FUNDS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND CARE IN NURSING HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.

WE WILL MAKE MONEY AVAILABLE SO THAT AN EXTRA 850 ELDERLY PEOPLE CAN HAVE THE CATARACT OPERATION THEY NEED TO RESTORE THEIR SIGHT.

WE WILL INCREASE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE PROVIDE FOR SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES.

PRE-SCHOOL CENTRES

THERE WILL BE OVER 700 MORE PLACES IN FOR THE DISABLED CHILDREN AND AN EXPANSION OF THE REHABUS SCHEME.

THERE WILL BE 950 MORE HOSPITAL BEDS THIS YEAR AND 500 MORE NURSES NEXT YEAR. WE ARE PROPOSING TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL AT TSEUNG KWAN O PROVIDING A FURTHER 400 BEDS.

THERE WILL BE 1000 MORE PLACES IN HOSPICES.

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HOSPITAL

WE ARE PROVIDING THE RESOURCES TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TO MEET IN FULL THE DEMAND FOR DIALYSIS SERVICES WHICH ARE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH FOR KIDNEY PATIENTS.

/THESE PUBLIC