XN000022-1995-05-17 — Page 65

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Reply:

Mr President,

The purpose of the requirement for Legislative Council Members to disclose the names, identity card numbers and salaries of their assistants is to increase the accountability and transparency of the use of allowances provided to LegCo Members out of public funds. It was introduced, on the advice of an independent Commission, after careful consideration of all relevant factors, including any possible effect on the privacy of those concerned. The Administration is confident that the requirement is consistent with Article 14 of the Bill of Rights which provides, among other things, that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy. To the extent that the requirement might be considered an interference with the privacy of those concerned, such interference would be neither arbitrary nor unlawful.

End/Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Allocation of funds to hospitals

Following is a question by the Hon Szeto Wah and a written reply by the Secretary of Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to the allocation of funds to hospitals managed by the Hospital Authority, will the Government inform this Council :

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the annual amount of funds allocated to cach hospital in the past three

years;

of the criteria adopted in the allocation of funds; and

whether additional measures will be put in place to assist small hospitals, which may not have been allocated sufficient funds to provide high- quality facilities and services, so as to improve their management and operations?