XN000022-1995-05-10 — Page 67

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(b)

(c)

the total expenses incurred to these hospitals in each fund-raising activity, together with a breakdown of the expenses and the amount spent under each item:

the amount of net donation received by these hospitals in each fund- raising activity after deducting expenses; and

the respective numbers of man-hours spent and staff mobilised by these hospitals in each fund-raising activity for:

(d)

(i)

(ii)

selling flags in the streets; and

(iii)

appearing in TV programmes;

answering donation calls?

Reply:

All the hospital fund-raising activities in question were organised by their respective parent associations, namely the Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Disease Association, Pok Oi Hospital, Yan Chai Hospital and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. All of these are established charitable bodies with a long tradition of soliciting community support for the provision of welfare, health and education services in partnership with Government.

While the Hospital Authority is responsible for the management and control of all public hospitals to ensure quality medical services for patients, the affiliated charitable bodies enjoy full autonomy in other areas of their traditional operation. The fund-raising activities organised by these bodies are thus no different from similar events in the welfare sector. The extent of participation by hospital in such activities is entirely voluntary. Under the present arrangement, Government assumes a supporting role and is not therefore in a position to supply the information requested.

End/Wednesday, May 10, 1995