MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): President, on behalf of the Finance Committee, I submit its Report on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure 2021-2022.
The Finance Committee held a total of 21 sessions of special meetings in the middle of April this year to examine the Estimates of Expenditure 2021-2022, with the aim to ensure that the authorities are seeking a provision no more than is necessary for the execution of the policies approved.
Before the commencement of the special meetings, 42 Members submitted about 3 300 written questions on the Estimates of Expenditure, in which a relatively larger number of questions were focused on education, health, planning and lands, as well as food safety and environmental hygiene. The Administration, according to the undertaking it made earlier, submitted replies to all questions before the special meetings. As for the supplementary questions raised by Members during the special meetings, the Administration’s replies to these questions were submitted before the third Budget meeting on 28 April 2021. The questions and replies were uploaded onto the website of the Legislative Council.
At the special meetings, Members raised questions on the Estimates of Expenditure, and they also expressed concerns and views on measures closely related to people’s livelihood, such as the measures to combat the pandemic and to stimulate the economy referred to in the Budget. The proceedings of the special meetings are set out in the report.
Following the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2021 on 28 April 2021, the Finance Committee started to examine the funding requests submitted by the Financial Secretary for changing the approved Estimates of Expenditure.
President, the Finance Committee spent a total of approximately 28 hours completing the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure, the process of which was smooth in general. In this regard, I would like to extend my gratitude to Members for their enthusiastic participation and to the various Policy Bureaux and departments of the Government for their cooperation.
I so submit.