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The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
Following is the transcript (English portion) of a meet-the-media session by the Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo), Mr Leung Chun-ying, and some ExCo Non-official Members, on the Policy Address this afternoon (October 11).
Reporter: There were disruptions in the Legislative Council meeting just now because of the issue of minimum wage. What do you think about that?
Mr Leung : This was one way, probably not the best way, to express their support for legislating of minimum wage.
Reporter: (about minimum wage)
Mr Leung: The Chief Executive has for the first time put this matter on the agenda. I am sure that there likely will be discussions in the community about its influence on the different aspects of our economy and as to how we should implement.
Reporter : (about subsidising early childhood education)
Mr Leung: It is another breakthrough after the implementation of the nine-year free compulsory education policy which was implemented by the Government a long time ago. This is very important. I am sure details will be revealed by the relevant bureau.
Reporter: .....increase the financial burden of Hong Kong.....
Mr Leung: It will. But it is very important for Hong Kong and I am sure that it will be a rewarding investment for Hong Kong.
Reporter: Is it necessary to merge various Government commissions?
Dr Leong Che-hung: I am not saying that it is necessary to merge the commissions. What I am saying is that yes, there are many commissions looking at the welfare of different sectors. But if you want to take a family as a central unit, then you need a coordinating body. The coordinating body will therefore get all the things working together to really make a "family" as our basic unit. It does not mean that other commissions will not exist any more, but we will see how the whole thing will evolve into a workable solution.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:27
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