TNAG-0507-FCO40-572-Development-of-medical-and-health-services-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 102

G.F. 323

A

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

Their report was tabled in the Legislative Council on

31st October 1973 and published in order that the general public

might be aware of their recommendations and express their views

on the conclusions reached by the Committee.

As indicated in the foreword published in the report

the Government would then determine what should be the extent and speed

of such expansion in the light of public comments and competing claims

on scarce resources including qualified staff, money and land.

This White Paper sets out the Government's proposals for

The proposals

the further development of medical and health services.

are divided into those for which funds are likely to be available

over the next ten years given some increase in taxation, and those

for which funds cannot be assumed but which should proceed if the

revenue position and competing bids so allow. To implement all the

proposals would involve roughly doubling recurrent expenditure on

medical and health services to about $900 million a year at 1974

prices. The full capital cost would be about $914 million at 1974

prices most of which would occur after 1977-78. At this point in

time it is not easy to say what the budgetary position will then be.

It remains however the Government's intention to work as swiftly as

circumstances permit towards the implementation of these proposals.

Given present circumstances however it is prudent to divide the

proposals into two groups in this way. The implications of proceeding

in this way and the priorities to be adopted for development are

discussed more fully in Chapter 13 of the White Paper. Progress will be

subject to regular annual reviews by the MDAC in the light of changing

needs and of budgetary circumstances. The first such review will

begin in the last quarter of this year.

CONFIDENTIAL **