TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 93

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The same argument for reducing housing subsidy can also be applied to the Student Travel Scheme which will cost $248 million in 1985/86. I commented on this Scheme in this

The same Council on 24 March 1983 for different reasons. reasons still apply today, but there is the additional reason against substantially subsidizing those students who can afford to pay full fares. This Scheme was approved on 22 July 1981 and it is about time for the Administration to re-examine the continued justification for this Scheme so as to decide whether the Scheme should be terminated or allowed to continue but with

revised arrangements.

I fully support the idea of regular updating of all government fees and charges as services should be paid by those who use them. I note that Controlling Officers are encouraged

Controlling to consider value for money for these services. Officers should also consider whether such services can be provided more competitively through contracting out as it would not be fair for those who pay for services to pay exorbitant fees or charges because of Government's own provision of these facilities at a higher cost while an alternative cheaper arrangement is available. I note that vehicle towing could be undertaken by either Government through its own means or alternatively through contracting out. Comparison should be made accordingly between the costings of these alternatives before vehicle towing charges are revised.

Up to now, I might have appeared to be an advocate just for money saving. In fact in some areas of social services which require personal attention, flexibility is needed to enforce the policy of stabilizing the size of the public service in order that effective work can be maintained to cope with increased activities. I am in particular referring to social work provided by the Government and subvented voluntary agencies. I suggest that here we should allow increases in manpower where they are justified and where improvement and expansion of facilities have already been