XN000022-1996-10-15 — Page 2

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FS's transcript

The following is the transcript of a media session by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, on his return from an overseas duty visit this (Tuesday) evening:

HI

Question: please repeat in English on employment figure and the funding for the provisional legislature.

FS: Quite different questions altogether. Well, I am very very happy about the decline in the unemployment figure. It reflects that the efforts we have made so far, particularly on retraining scheme and on the supply side have begun to bear fruit. This means that we have now reached our traditional high employment level in Hong Kong. I hope it will be sustained. As regards funding for the provisional arrangements or transitional arrangements, you know the Government has pledged full support for the Chief Executive (Designate) and his teams being their work in providing a smooth transition. We have not obtained any specific request for funding, and I am sure this request will be put forward at the expert group on Budget. Out position on the provisional legislature is very clear. I don't want to repeat it here, you know that is a matter that we cannot give in.

End

Tate's Cairn Tunnel toll increase approved

The Governor-in-Council has approved an application for toll increase by the Tate's Cairn Tunnel Company.

The new toll structure, which will have an average increase of about 30 per cent, will take effect from November 1.

A government spokesman said today (Tuesday) that the toll revision was in line with the Company's franchise proposal in 1988, both in terms of timing and level of increase.

"In approving the application, the Administration is guided by the need to ensure that the Company will be able to carry out its obligations and that it will be reasonably but not excessively remunerated.