TNAG-0760-FCO40-964-Annual-accounts-of-the-Hong-Kong-Government-for-1977-1978 — Page 6

CODE 18-77

SS 10/76

Reference.

Carter

Mr Carter Audit Adviser

Room A 606 ODM

~AKK 100/1.

INDEX

No

17 FFD 1978

PA

f

ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT:

1.

1977

I attach a copy of the report and certificate of the Director of Audit on these accounts together with the comments of the Finance Branch.

2. I should be grateful for any comments you may have.

3 February 1978

Enc.

Thompson

ем

Hong Kong & General Dept.

logy ause we anything as the

Mr Thompson (HK & GD)

Have

Public Accounts Committee?

£13/2

1. As we have come to expect, the audit report raises several matters of substance the sections dealing with computer management (paragraps 40-43) and with the subvention to the Tung Wah hospitals (paragraphs 74-92) are of special interest. However, the Governor's comments indictae that the criticisms contained in the report are receiving serious attention, and I would not suggest the need for further action to be taken here.

2.

In my minute of 3.3.77 on the 1975-76 accounts I referred to the proposal, apparently announced in Legislative Council in 1976, to set up a Public Accounts Committee in Hong Kong. In theory, at any rate, this would be an appropriate way to strengthen the local system of financial control and, unless you have already heard of further developments, you may wish to enquire whether the territory intends to proceed with the proposal.

9 February 1978

JEZ

Barter

FEL FE L Carter

(ODM Annexe, Room 606, Ext 1126)