XN000022-1995-03-29 — Page 34

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Funding for the Arts

I would also like to say a few words on funding for the Arts. Since the Governor announced in his 1993 Policy Address our aim to promote further culture and the arts in Hong Kong, we have taken steps to set up the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and have provided it with a grant of $100 million as seed money. We have also placed at the disposal of the Council a further $30 million from the Sir David Trench Arts Development Fund. To date, only some $10.6 million from these two funds has been spent. The Council therefore has ample resources at its disposal for promoting the arts and culture in the next few years. I do not believe that it is necessary to provide additional public funds for arts promotion in the current budget. I am sure that the Hon Man Sai-cheong, and those other members who are interested in promoting the arts in Hong Kong and have been following the activities of the Arts Development Council, are well aware that the Council is currently drawing up a Five-Year Strategic Plan. The justification for any additional funding for the arts will be looked at when this Plan is finalised, which I understand will be towards the end of this year.

The Judiciary

Finally I would like to turn to the Judiciary. As the Chief Justice has said on many occasions, the Judiciary will continue to press ahead with its "quiet management revolution" to ensure that Hong Kong's system of justice is effective and efficient. This is clearly an important priority. The rule of law, and its administration by a strong, independent and credible Judiciary, underpins Hong Kong's long- term prosperity and stability.

The Hon Moses Cheng said that technology must be complemented by adequate support staff and training. I entirely agree. One of the Judiciary's immediate priorities is indeed the training of its non-judicial staff so as to enhance their professionalism, job satisfaction and career development.

The Judiciary is also fully aware of Mr Cheng's concern about what he called the "chronic shortage of judges". With the planned increase in judicial manpower in 1995-96, the fine-tuning of listing and the streamlining of court procedures, the Judiciary's manpower situation should be manageable. The Judiciary will, of course, closely monitor the situation to ensure that there is sufficient judicial manpower to cope with the workload facing the courts.