TNAG-1854-FCO40-2629-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 219

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 January 1989

香港立法局 一九八九年一月十八日

MR. HUI: Sir, could the Government inform this Council whether,

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the

process of studying the unification of kindergartens and child care centres, consultation has been made with concerned organizations and voluntary agencies operating these services? If the answer is positive, which are these agencies? If not, why not?

SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, as I have already explained, most of our discussions have been in reaction to the consultation and feedback on the commission's own proposals. Our new alternative proposals have not yet reached the consultation stage but we certainly shall be consulting when we reach the appropriate stage.

MRS. CHOW: Sir, what is the point of putting an issue to the Education Commission, only to overrule it after it has come to certain conclusions and recommendations by withholding that part from Executive Council which the Administration happens not to agree with?

SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, it is not so much our reaction which is important but the fact that the public consultation on the proposal showed that there was considerable doubt about this particular recommendation in the commission's report.

Funding of performing arts

6. MR. PAUL CHENG asked: In view of the recent public concern about the Government's policy in funding performing arts activities and the financial difficulties encountered by organizations concerned, will Government inform this Council whether a general review will be conducted on, inter alia, the funding and management arrangements of performing arts and related cultural organizations and if so, when the results of the review are expected to be available?

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, I am glad that Mr. CHENG has referred specifically to public concern about the Government's policy in funding performing arts activities and the financial difficulties encountered by organizations concerned since I believe that some of the problems have been overstated.

Through the Council for the Performing Arts, Government provides subvention for performing arts activities to ensure their continued development