XN000022-1995-11-29 — Page 69

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(a) of the 155,000 adults estimated by the Government who will benefit from some form of part-time education this year, how many will take part in training schemes, part-time courses and distance learning courses respectively;

(b) whether any financial assistance is provided to such schemes or courses; if so, how much is expected to be spent in this financial year; and

(c) whether consideration will be given to offering tax concession to encourage working adults to take part in higher education/professional courses at their own expense, thereby enhancing the quality and competitiveness of our work force; if not, why not?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a) A breakdown of the 155, 490 adults estimated in October 1995 to be benefiting from some form of part-time education in 1995-96 is at Annex A, together with the latest available enrolment figures on training schemes, part-time courses and distance learning courses respectively amounting to 72,181.

(b) A breakdown of the estimated Government expenditure on these courses in 1995- 96 for the available statistics on student numbers is at Annex B, totalling about $216.82 million; and

(c) During the Financial Secretary's recent consultation with Members of the Legislative Council on revenue measures for the 1996-97 Budget, some Members proposed tax concessions to encourage training in respect of employers to provide such schemes or courses to their employees or for employees to attend such training courses at their own expense. These will be carefully considered in the process of formulating the revenue measures for the coming Budget.