XN000022-1997-02-27 — Page 4

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The honourable gentleman may know that since 1992, we've increased spending on services for the elderly by about 94 per cent in real terms. CSSA rates for the elderly have, I think, gone up by about 100 per cent in real terms. Now that has led some to assert that we're driving the car too fast. I think that was the metaphor. It's led some to assert, which isn't as good for my reputation as I would like, that I'm a socialist or a welfarist, that I'm wrecking Hong Kong's economy. I'm sure the honourable gentleman would be the first to denounce those who made those sort of allegations. The truth is that we've been meeting our obligations to the elderly. We must continue to give their concerns and interests the highest priority, while, of course, ensuring that Hong Kong's economy is managed very sensibly.

Perhaps I can just add two things. The Social Welfare Department is conducting two studies at the moment which will, I am sure, be the focus for considerable discussion and debate. The first is a study which will be available in the late summer, into the financial needs of the elderly and how those are met at the moment. The second study which I think all members would regard as particularly important is into the reasons why some elderly people who are existing on very low incomes at the moment don't claim social security seek to make do on their own without the help to which they are wholly entitled. I think both those studies will ensure that we can develop our policies in a way which is both generous and well- targeted.

Mr Edward Ho (in Chinese): Thank you Mr President. My question for the Governor is this, I would like to ask a question pertaining to housing. Recently, the Long Term Housing Strategy Review consultative document said that in the coming decade in Hong Kong, the demand for housing would be very strong and great and it is anticipated that every year the housing production would have to reach 85,000 units before the demand can be met. I would like to ask the Government whether consideration has been given to manpower resources, whether there is sufficient manpower resources in order to produce 85,000 units a year?

Governor; I think that we should have enough resources to meet those targets but I do see the point which the honourable gentleman is making, not least as a professional in this field himself. And I think it is a point that has been made by his honourable friend on his right. We do need to look at our administrative procedures and we do need to look at the quantity of professional support that we have in order to speed-up those administrative procedures wherever possible. Some of the hold-ups we have are because of the lack of professional expertise when so much is happening in Hong Kong, when there is so much building going on. We have got ideas about sharpening- up our procedures and I hope that we will be able to do so.