XN000022-1997-03-06 — Page 15

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Reporter (in Chinese): Mr Kwong, a follow-up on the CE's office expenditure. Apart from staffing and rental covered in two items, during this period when the CE is still the CE (designate), how can you make arrangements so that you can get the refund or reimbursement from the Central Government in future? Do you have additional commitments? What sub-heads reflect that?

Mr K C Kwong (in Chinese): Well, I don't quite get your question. Why is it that we have to chase up the Central Government for moncy?

Reporter (in Chinese): Well not chase after, you have to seek reimbursement in fact.

Mr KC Kwong (in Chinese): For the CE's office, when there is a need for expenditure, it is now met by the Director of Admin, under the Head for the offices of the CS and the FS. Of course that is for general kind of expenditure. If you talk about expenditure of the staff, it depends on where the staff are seconded from. Perhaps the expenditure will be covered by that particular department for short-term secondment of this kind. As for rentals, it is accounted for under the Government Property Agency. At this point in time I don't see the scenario where it may involve money matters with the Central Government.

Reporter (in Chinese): About other expenditures, under what heads are those expenditures considered?

Mr K. C Kwong (in Chinese): Well, if it is general departmental expenditure, it is met by the Director of Administration. For secondment of staff, say the Treasury Department has to second an accountant to the office to look at the systems, then it will be for short term secondment and the person will return to the Treasury Department. The Treasury will pay for the salary of the seconded officer. That is the ordinary arrangement for secondment between Government departments.

Reporter (in Chinese): But for similar questions asked by Mr Cheung Man-kwong for the OOCL staff and other staff seconded to the CE's office. So there are other expenditures. Under what heads are those expenditures included?

Mr K C Kwong (in Chinese): Well, for general expenditure, it is under the head controlled by the Director of Administration under the office of CS and FS.

Reporter (in Chinese): In the Draft Estimates 1997-98 for the Government House head, there is a decline of 23%. For the Directorate establishment, there is also a reduction by seven posts. Why?