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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session in the Legislative Council Complex today (October 30):
Reporter: Secretary, what do you have to say to members who plan to filibuster tonight?
Chief Secretary for Administration: I want to make a very sincere appeal that for the benefit of an estimated 400,000 elders who will benefit from the Old Age Living Allowance, my appeal is: Please make full use of the four hours of Finance Committee meeting to discuss, to express views, to provide comments, and then to vote on this very important funding application from the Administration. It is only by approving the funding application within this month - and today is perhaps the last day within this month that we have this opportunity to approve the funding application - that all the planned work could proceed with a view that we'll be able to receive applications from March next year, and the elders will be able to obtain, not only from March next year, the $2,200 a month, but also a lump sum counting from October 1 this year.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:56
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