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A general shortage of physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and speech therapists is causing concern in the provision of services requiring these skills especially in the subvented welfare sector. Wastage is only one factor contributing to this shortage.

I have established a Working Group on Allied Health Personnel in my Branch to examine the problem of shortfalls in these professions and to propose solutions. The Group has started its work already by studying the shortage of clinical psychologists. It will move on to study the other disciplines concerned as quickly as possible.

End/Wednesday, May 10, 1995

Alcohol duty

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a reply by the Secretary for the Treasury, Mr K C Kwong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council of the total amount of alcohol duty collected by the Government for the months from April to December 1994 as compared with that in the corresponding period in 1993 before the new system of ad valorem duty was implemented?

Reply:

Mr President,

Revenue collected from alcohol duty amounted to $673 million in the period April to December 1994, and $905 million in the same period in 1993.

End/Wednesday, May 10, 1995