XN000022-1996-09-30 — Page 2

Transcript of CS's media session

Following is the transcript (English) of the question-and-answer session given by the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, after presenting the 1996 Progress Report today (Monday):

Question: Mrs Chan, where are the delays and why are the delays?

CS: 1 said earlier on that the delays are many and varied; it's very difficult to give one answer. Sometimes for example the delay involves delay in actual construction works because of delay on the part of contractors. Sometimes frequently it is a question of a longer process being required to resume the land and to remove the structures on the land. Then in the case for example of services for the elderly part of the difficulty has been trying to find suitable accommodation in private premises to accommodate for example multi-service centres for the elderly. But in the case of multi-service centres for the elderly there are very strict safety requirements to ensure the interest of the consumers and therefore we have to make sure that the properties that we buy can meet these very exacting safety standards. But we are also pleased that since we embarked on this programme of purchasing private property for welfare services in 1995 we've actually made very very good progress and we've now met over 70 per cent of our targets so we will continue to make good progress in this area.

Question: (inaudible)

CS: We are making good progress in discussing the remaining transitional issues with the Chinese side. I think it is both sides' wish that these issues should be resolved before 1 July 1997. So I am reasonably confident that we will make good progress. I think I can assure you that both sides will spare no effort to achieve this progress.

End

CS launches 1996 Progress Report

The Government has completed on target 646 out of 692 policy commitments made between 1992 and 1995, representing a success rate of 93 per cent.

Announcing this during the launch of the 1996 Progress Report today (Monday), the Chief Secretary said: "I think 93 per cent success rate indicates that the civil service has been performing extremely well during this difficult transitional period.