Transcript of remarks by Acting CE at media session (with video)
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Reporter: Secretary, does that mean that if it's really just…it can be write-off these allowances and these wages…Is it of the Government's stance that "oh maybe these sums don't really matter anymore". And second question, on "one-party rule". Does that mean that lawmakers, if they have ever mentioned the end of "one-party rule", then they should not be considered lawmakers anymore?
Acting Chief Executive: On the first question, in fact, on the question of so-called write-off, we've just replied to an earlier enquiry from the Legislative Council Commission on how best to deal with these questions in case they cannot recoup all or part of the expenses paid to the four disqualified members concerned. We've replied already and explained the situation particularly the responsibilities of the LegCo Secretary General himself under the Public Finance Ordinance, and also point out in case after the best endeavour, if the LegCo Secretariat cannot recoup all or part of the expenses paid, then what are the options available in terms of writing off? So we've explained the situation to them and it is up to the relevant committee in LegCo to decide how to do it and how to get back to the Administration.
Reporter: Secretary, so this child's case, this case, this child just happens to fall through the loophole, existing loophole. How are you going to plug that?
Acting Chief Executive: We will certainly critically review the system. We have already put in place a pretty comprehensive support service, particularly for pre-school children now in kindergartens and childcare centres, providing on-site training and support services with disciplinary team, psychologists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists and also social workers going into the kindergartens and centres to provide support, not only to the kids concerned and also for the parents and teachers concerned. So it's really on all-front tackling it. But it's confined at the moment to pre-school children up to age six. This particular child, unfortunately just entered primary one. So, there might be a little, so-called a pretty odd case here. Having said that, we will certainly leave no stone unturned. We will come up with a better and more strengthened support particularly for families facing this sort of problems. And I urge all parents concerned, if they do run into problems, contact the Social Welfare Department hotline. We will certainly come to your assistance. Okay. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:35
Issued at HKT 16:35
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Audio / Video
Ag CE meets the media