XN000022-1997-03-12 — Page 31

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Mr Donald Tsang (in Chinese): We haven't got figures and we haven't got the agreement. If we had we would have included them in our medium range forecast. The reason why they are not in the medium range forecast is because we don't have the details and the specifics yet. But what is obvious is that they are a priority project and the community have come to a consensus that they should be accorded priority and our initial estimate is that they will cost more or less the same as the total cost of ACP and also they are likely to commence in 1998. And we estimate that they will cost $50 billion and that is why we have to find the money somewhere for them. But we haven't got the specifics, as I said, and each step we have to approach the Finance Committee for allocation of funds and then the figures will be incorporated into the medium range forecast.

Reporter (in English): Whether in preparing the Budget you consulted with demographers on two points. The first would be what number and percentage of the population would move into the elderly category over the next, say, five to ten years - if you have those figures? And secondly, I am wondering whether anybody has examined what effect this Budget might have on housing the pattern of housing demands - and perhaps encouraging population growth?

Mr Donald Tsang (in English): Well, you have a vast array of wide questions. It is very difficult to answer very satisfactorily. As far as the housing demand is concerned, I have said that the Budget certainly has no adverse effect as far as pricing is concerned. At least we are now aiming at increasing supply in terms of land and that consequently will have a beneficial effect in depressing prices.

The area I won't be able - I couldn't catch. Well, the likely raising hands - all take all the questions.

Reporter (in English): Do you want me to repeat the question?

-they

Mr Donald Tsang (in English): The impact on the elderly, I just couldn't relate to the two thoughts.

Reporter (in English): The question is, I am asking whether you, in preparing the Budget, asked for demographic information about what the number in percentage either as a gross number or as a percentage of the population - would be moving into the bracket of elderly over the next five to ten years, because that would affect, I think, your projections on recurrent spending?

And secondly, whether or not these programmes which you have made to support the family would in fact have the effect of helping people to encourage larger families and perhaps encourage population growth or change the pattern of housing demand? In other words people would want larger flats instead of smaller ones because they would be bringing more people in to live with them, for example.