TNAG-1641-FCO40-2288-Budget-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 188

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11.2.87

74.

I have accommodated a provision of

$180 million (equivalent to $270 million in a full year)

to finance the recurrent cost of new or improved

services (24). Whilst this is more than double the amount

for 1986-87 it remains well below the total of proposals

made by departments, which amounted to $500 million in a

full year.

Much pruning was needed.

75.

As our community develops, there is inevitably

pressure for growth in services. We must provide staff

for new hospitals, schools, fire stations, immigration

posts, police stations and so on. In terms of staffing,

medical services alone account for about a quarter of the

increase required in 1987-88, and this is due to major new

facilities being completed. Social welfare services

account for another 8% of the staff increase, reflecting

both new facilities and additional manning required at

existing establishments. Overall, Civil Service growth is

expected to be around 3% in 1987-88. This is slightly

higher than both the 2% arising in 1986-87 and the medium

term planning assumption of around 2 1/2% but is

necessitated by the timing of facilities coming on stream.

(24)

The more significant proposals accommodated are commented upon in Appendix D.

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