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FS (in Cantonese): Where we can allocate funds, it is already in our medium-range forecast and there are certain things that we are doing already. For instance, things in relation to language proficiency. But there are other things, for instance Science Park. Even if we start today, we will not be able to be really on the go before 1997. We're just now identifying sites. So this is a very major project and we will have to look at this in conjunction with the business sector. When we have reached a consensus then next year it will have to compete against other items at the resource allocation exercise.

Question (? speaker - in Cantonese): So you will have to further look at future things such as Science Park and it will not materialise in the short-term?

FS (in Cantonese): Yes. We do agree that we need to have a Science Park. So we are now trying to find a site and then we will have to work out the cost and then Mr Kwong will have to take it to the Expert Group to see how we can come up with funds. and that will be after 1997 that we can really implement that. But there are others that we are working on already. But others perhaps may still be in its conceptual stage and therefore I have put it down very clearly in the Budget.

We have worked at it for five months and the Task Force will continue to look at this. We hope that the business sector, the manufacturing sector and the services sector will give their views. If they agree, then we can go to the Finance Committee.

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Govt fully committed to enhance language skills in schools

The Secretary for Education and Manpower. Mr Joseph WP Wong, today (Thursday) announced that the Government has accepted fully the final recommendations of the Education Commission Report No 6 (ECR6) on enhancing language proficiency and had made available sufficient resources to implement the major recommendations this year.

Speaking at a post-Budget briefing for the media, Mr Wong pointed out that the Government had carmarked some $44.4 million a year to make an early start on implementing ECR6's recommendations which set out a comprehensive strategy for enhancing language proficiency of students in English and Chinese (including Putonghua).