TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 217

2nd Revised

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF SECRETARY IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THURSDAY 18 APRIL 1985

Sir,

Laid on the table yesterday was the Report of the

Finance Committee on the draft Estimates of Expenditure for

the year ending 31 March 1986.

For the second time, the Committee's meetings

four afternoons. The Controlling

were held in public over

Officers

submitted

responsible for the 71 heads of expenditure

written answers to 359 questions; 43 of the

Controlling Officers were called to give evidence in

person. They gave oral answers to 221 questions of which

they had received previous notification and responded to

more

200 supplementary questions. The record of these

written and oral answers is annexed

is annexed to the Report amounting to no less than 393 pages of typescript and, in my view, it

amounts to a conscientious and very practical exercise in

accountability; and one which

students of that

that subject. At

reflects Members' painstaking examination of the draft

Estimates, an examination which is designed

might well be noted by

the same time, the Report

the funds requested are no more than is

necessary for the execution of approved policies.

ensure that

absolutely