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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at a media session today (May 15) in the lobby of West Wing, Central Government Offices, Tamar after a meeting with the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau as well as all controlling officers to discuss possible impacts if the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2014 could not be made on time:
Reporter: Mr Tsang, is this a scaremongering tactic, because Albert Chan said yesterday that he is very confident that the Budget will be passed by the end of the month?
Financial Secretary: This is not scaremongering at all. What we are doing is to present the facts, and I think we, as the central government here, deal with our colleagues in the different departments to let them know what the situation is, so that they would work with us in terms of making what the remaining resources, make them last as long as they can. If indeed if the filibustering can be completed by the end of the month, it's good because the ideal time has already passed, but the sooner they can finish the filibustering, the better.
Reporter: Can you explain again why is it not a good idea to apply for another temporary funding?
Financial Secretary: I think we've talked about that quite a number of times.
Reporter: But there's a very key point ...
Financial Secretary: But maybe we can get to other points that other members might have.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, May 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:06
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