XN000022-1995-11-02 — Page 20

7.

FS in LegCo debate on motion of thanks

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, the Hon Donald Tsang, in the Legislative Council debate on the motion of thanks today (Thursday):

Working with LegCo for the Public

In his Policy Address, the Governor said that the Civil Service, no matter how effective its performance, never expects headlines in the press to read "Government does a great job". He also predicted that the response of this Council to his Address, to the Progress Report and to the Policy Commitments, would be a blend of fair- minded appreciation of what has been achieved and demands for higher standards, new policies and greater accountability. He was right in the case of a selected number of speeches that I heard on Wednesday and Thursday last week, but the focus of many others seemed to fall elsewhere.

Before I respond to the many specific proposals advanced by Members in their contributions in this debate, I would like to take up two important general issues. The first concerns the assertion, made specifically by several members. and implied by many others, that the Government does not listen hard enough to the views of this Council or to the community.

F

Let me emphasise just how seriously the Hong Kong Government takes your comments and criticisms.

CAROL

Many of the 471 outstanding Policy Commitments from the Governor's first three Policy Addresses had their origins in suggestions from Members of the Legislative Council.

year Many of the 343 new initiatives announced by the Governor this also have their origins in ideas and suggestions from Members of the Legislative Council.

The consultation on the Budget, which began before the summer recess, is a six-month process of listening to the views of Members of this Council to ensure that the Budget addresses the real concerns of the community. As Members know, I have recently started the second stage of this vital exercise.

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