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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive-elect (CE-elect), Mr C Y Leung, at the lobby of West Wing, Central Government Offices this afternoon (June 19):
Reporter: Can you elaborate on the establishment of the Preparatory Task Force on the Commission of Poverty? How do you compare this committee to the previous Poverty Commission?
CE-elect: I received views and they are valid views about the work of the previous Poverty Commission from among others and members of the previous Poverty Commission. And the views were that while everyone worked very hard and pulled in the same direction to help Hong Kong alleviate poverty, it was really the terms of reference of the previous Poverty Commission that restricted the implementation of their recommendations and views expressed during meetings of the Poverty Commission.
So this time round, I thought instead of the Government or myself stipulating the terms of reference of the new Poverty Commission, I should listen to views of people who could contribute towards poverty alleviation in Hong Kong including members of the previous Commission, and therefore this membership I shall repeat them, Mr Law Chi-kwong of the University of Hong Kong, Ms Christine Fang, Mr Ho Hei-wah and Mr Henry Cheng. Myself will be the Chairman, my Deputy Chairman will be the Chief Secretary, and the Secretary for Labour and Welfare will be one of the members.
Reporter: (About the wealth gap)
CE-elect: My concern is not so much about the wealth gap or the income gap per se. I am more concerned about the hardships that the lower strata of our society face. So this isn't just a question of the gap, whether it is a wealth gap or income gap, I'm more concerned about absolute income and the living conditions of the lower strata of society, and this is where I believe the Poverty Commission, the newly-established Poverty Commission should focus its work on.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:30
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