Estimates-1956 — Page 52

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HEAD 40 – SUBVENTIONS

Estimate 1955/56

Revised estimate 1954/55

Approved estimate 1954/55

$44,144,810

32,725,000

36,960,325

Actual expenditure 1953/54

27,639,261

193.

Social Welfare. Subventions to a number of welfare organizations have been increased on the advice of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee. The more substantial increases include $16,500 for the King's Park Orphanage to meet increased wages and replenish- ment of blankets; $5,000 for Discharged Prisoners' Aid on account of increased activities; $6,100 for the Canossian Orphanage towards the provision of better facilities for training in handi- crafts, domestic science, housekeeping, etc.; $5,800 for the Girl Guides Association to meet the salary of a Guide Trainer; and $5,000 for the Hong Kong War Memorial Committee, approved during the year in replacement of funds formerly available from the Far Eastern Relief Fund for the assistance of deserving persons not eligible for assistance under the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund. A new item is included for the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, $5,000. Revotes of $250,000 for the Good Shepherd Sisters and $1,000,000 for the King's Park Orphanage are included in respect of works which were expected to be put in hand this year but have been delayed for various reasons.

194.

Medical. A new subvention of $10,000 is included for the British Red Cross Society's Blood Bank to be used specifically for the maintenance of the Blood Collecting Centre and the Blood Collection Service which is operated in conjunction with the Hong Kong Govern- ment Blood Bank and Free Transfusion Service. The maintenance of an efficient collection service for blood is one of the most important activities of the Red Cross in Hong Kong and further expansion of this service is necessary if the needs of the community are to be met. Income from private donations and membership fees is insufficient to permit of the degree of expansion envisaged and Government assistance in the form of a subvention is therefore necessary.

195.

The increase of $180,000 for the Mission to Lepers, Hong Kong Auxiliary, was approved during the year in respect of increased recurrent costs arising from a proposal to extend the Mission's facilities on Hay Ling Chau.

196.

Education. The contribution to the Amenities Fund for Colonial Students in the United Kingdom is increased by $2,840 because of a further increase in the number of Hong Kong students in the United Kingdom. Recurrent subventions to Grant Schools are increased by $1,068,000 on account of increased activities and revised salaries payable to Grant School teachers to bring them into line with those of teachers in Government schools. $250,000 is provided for refund of rates payable to Government by non-profit making schools which were formerly exempt. Recurrent subventions to Subsidized schools are increased by $4,711,000 arising from increased salaries for teachers and general expansion of activities. Under Special Expendi- ture, the provision of $1,130,000 for Grant Schools and $2,900,000 for Subsidized Schools include revotes of $687,500 and $575,430 respectively.

197.

Miscellaneous. The only significant changes in the Miscellaneous subventions are an increase of $1,000 for the St. John Ambulance Brigade and a token increase of $2,600 for the International Telecommunications Union.

HEAD 41A — TREASURY

Estimate 1955/56

$2,026,500

Revised estimate 1954/55

1,901,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

1,862,009

Actual expenditure 1953/54

1,734,489

1954/55

1955/56

Difference

Permanent staff

207

223

+16

Supernumerary staff

1

1