Borrison/hk-legicost huggingface dataset:
《香港法案》引起的不確定性無可避免會影響國際投資者及企業對香港的信心，亦勢必損害雙方互惠的關係，包括美國的利益。
The uncertainty caused by the Hong Kong Act will inevitably affect the confidence of international investors and enterprises in Hong Kong and will certainly damage the mutually beneficial relations between the two places including the United States interests
就質詢的3個部分，我現在綜合答覆如下： 就特區政府的解說工作，政府一直透過信息互通、官員互訪、參與國際會議，以及各駐海外經濟貿易辦事處的恆常工作，向外說明香港自回歸以來成功落實"一國兩制"，推廣香港在《基本法》和"一國兩制"下享有獨特的地位和香港自身多方面的優勢。
My consolidated reply to the three parts of the question is as follows As for the explanatory work of the HKSAR Government the Government has been explaining to countries around the world the successful implementation of one country two systems since our return to the Motherland and promoting Hong Kongs unique status under the Basic Law and one country two systems as well as our own various advantages through exchanges of information reciprocal official visits participation in international conferences and regular work of the overseas Economic and Trade Offices ETOs
財政司司長於去年10月訪問美國，商務及經濟發展局局長亦於2018年9月、去年6月及9月三度訪問美國，與美國官員、國會議員、智庫和商界會面，清楚闡述香港在《基本法》下的獨特地位和自 身的優勢，以及講解香港的最新情況及應對當前挑戰所採取的措施，並強調儘管面對挑戰，香港仍然繼續是一個高效運作而安全的城市，我們歡迎美國各地的朋友到訪及營商。
The Financial Secretary visited the United States in October last year while the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development visited the United States three times in September 2018 and June and September last year during which they met with government officials congressional members think tanks as well as the business community of the United States enunciating the unique status under the Basic Law and the intrinsic strengths of Hong Kong explaining Hong Kongs latest situation and the measures taken to address current challenges and stressing that despite the challenges faced by Hong Kong it remained a highly efficient and safe city and we welcomed people from around the United States to visit and do business here
就《香港法案》，我們不斷向有關人士和機構解說香港的情況，積極糾正誤解，向他們重申香港與美國是雙方互惠的夥伴，力陳改變對港政策既無理據，亦會對兩地居民和商貿往來帶來不良影響。
In respect of the Hong Kong Act we have been explaining the situation in Hong Kong to the relevant persons and organizations actively clarifying misunderstandings reiterating that Hong Kong and the United States are partners which bring mutual benefits to each other and firmly stating that the changing of policies towards Hong Kong is unwarranted and will bring negative impact on the exchanges of residents and businesses between the two places
此外，行政長官、商經局局長和駐美國經貿辦人員亦多次致函美國各界人士，清楚和詳細闡述香港的情況及特區政府的立場。
Moreover the Chief Executive the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and officers of ETOs in the United States have written many times to various interlocutors in the United States to explain clearly and in detail the situation in Hong Kong and the HKSAR Governments position
香港駐華盛頓、紐約及三藩市經貿辦，亦一直與美國各界，包括美國白宮、國務院、商務部及美國貿易代表處等負責香港事務的聯邦政府官員、國會議員及其幕僚，尤其是參眾兩院外交事務委員會的議員及幕僚，以及國會及行政當局中國委員會的議員及幕僚、智庫、傳媒、學術界、商界和其他輿論領袖保持恆常聯繫，透過會面及其他不同方式，致力讓更多人了解香港最新和實際情況。
Hong Kongs ETOs in Washington DC New York and San Francisco have all along maintained regular contact with various sectors in the United States including federal government officials responsible for Hong Kong affairs in the White House Department of State Department of Commerce and Office of the United States Trade Representative congressional members and their staffers in particular members and staffers of the committees for foreign affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Congressional - Executive Commission on China think tanks the media the academia the business community and other opinion leaders . Through meetings and other different approaches ETOs work in earnest to bring the latest and actual situation in Hong Kong to a wider audience
其中，單以駐華盛頓經貿辦計，去年經貿辦與上述官員/議員/幕僚等會面的人數約240人，當中政府官員及國會議員/幕僚的人數分別約100人和約140人。
Of such ETOs the one in Washington DC alone met around 240 aforesaid government officialsmembersstaffers etc . last year with around 100 and 140 being government officials and congressional membersstaffers respectively
經貿辦人員向他們強調香港貫徹執行"一國兩制"和奉行自由經貿政策，維護香港賴以成功的核心價值，並解說香港最新及實際情況，以澄清部分人士的誤解，維持香港國際形象及港美雙邊關係。
ETO officers stressed to them that Hong Kong had spared no effort in implementing one country two systems following free trade and economic policy and safeguarding the core values underpinning the success of Hong Kong . They also explained the latest and actual situation in Hong Kong in order to clarify the misunderstandings that some of them had and maintain Hong Kongs international image and the United States - Hong Kong bilateral relations
經貿辦亦強調香港與美國在貿易及商業聯繫深厚，互惠互利，而雙邊關係不限於經貿方面合作，亦涉及其他範疇，例如在出口管制、打擊洗黑錢及反恐方面亦是重要夥伴，對美國經濟以至國土安全帶來重大利益，現時美國對香港的政策的任何改變可能對兩地人民和商貿利益帶來不良影響。
ETOs also highlighted the close and mutually beneficial ties between Hong Kong and the United States in trade and commerce and such bilateral relations are not confined to economic and trade cooperation . Other areas such as export control anti - money laundering and counter - terrorism are also involved in which their important partnership has brought significant benefits to the United States economy and homeland security . At present any change to the policy of the United States towards Hong Kong may have adverse impact on the people and business - trade interests of both places
過去1年，駐美國經貿辦亦有協助關注美中關係的委員會、國會議員及幕僚訪問香港，其中包括國會美中工作小組代表團、美中經濟與安全檢討委員會代表團，以及由美京美亞協會籌辦的國會代表團，分別於去年3月、5月及8月訪港。
In the past year ETOs in the United States assisted in arranging for committees on United States - China relations as well as congressional members and staffers to visit Hong Kong including visits by a congressional delegation of the United States - China Working Group a delegation of the United States - China Economic and Security Review Commission and a congressional delegation organized by the United States - Asia Institute respectively in March May and August last year
政府亦透過訪客贊助計劃邀請兩個美國國會議員幕僚代表團分別於去年3月及10月來港訪問，並安排他們與香港特區政府的高層官員會面，聽取政策局/部門及相關機構簡介香港各方面的最新發展。
The Government also invited two delegations of congressional staffers of the United States to visit Hong Kong respectively in March and October last year under the Sponsored Visitors Programme and arranged for them to meet with senior officials of the HKSAR Government and receive a wide range of briefings by government bureauxdepartments and relevant organizations on the latest development in Hong Kong
這類訪問有助他們進一步了解香港經濟、機遇和挑戰等各方面的情況。
Such visits were useful for them to have a better understanding of such aspects as the economy opportunities and challenges of Hong Kong
此外，政府定期與駐香港領事館及外國商會會面，向他們提供有關香港最新情況的資料。
In addition the Government has been regularly meeting with Consulates - General and foreign chambers of commerce in Hong Kong and updated them on the latest situation in Hong Kong
由政務司司長擔任主席，成員包括香港外國商會及香港總商會的國際商務委員會亦有定期舉行會議，討論有關香 港營商環境及香港形象的事宜。
The International Business Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration with members comprising representatives of foreign chambers of commerce in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce also meets regularly and discusses matters relating to the business environment and perceptions of Hong Kong
過去半年，商經局局長亦多次透過會面和信函等，向駐港領事和外國商會領袖闡述香港的最新情況和政府的應對措施。
In the past half year the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development also updated the Consuls - General in Hong Kong and leaders of foreign chambers of commerce on the latest situation in Hong Kong and the Governments responding measures through meetings letters etc
政府及各駐海外經貿辦亦一直密切關注其他國家在香港事務方面的媒體報道。
The Government and overseas ETOs have been paying close attention to local media reports of other countries on Hong Kong affairs
各駐海外經貿辦會主動要求有關媒體就錯誤報道或虛假信息作出更正，政府亦會主動作出澄清，並將聲明上傳到特區政府的相關網頁及經貿辦的社交媒體平台上。
The overseas ETOs will take the initiative to request the media to rectify false reports or false information of such reports . The Government will also proactively make clarifications and upload the statements on the HKSAR Governments relevant web pages and ETOs social media platforms
政府及駐美國的經貿辦會繼續與美國政府負責處理香港事務的高層官員、國會議員及其幕僚、智庫、傳媒、學術界及商界維持緊密工作關係，繼續密切留意美國政府的政策取向和美國的政治經濟形勢，尤其是美國行政當局執行《香港法案》的發展，並繼續就香港的最新情況向美國聯絡對象解說，以期法案下所要求的報告能反映香港實際的情況。
The Government and ETOs in the United States will continue to maintain close working relations with the United States Governments senior officials responsible for Hong Kong affairs congressional members and their staffers think tanks the media the academia and the business community continue to closely monitor the United States Governments policy direction as well as the United States political and economic landscape in particular developments relating to the United States Administrations implementation of the Hong Kong Act and continue to explain the latest situation in Hong Kong to interlocutors in the United States so that the reports required under the Hong Kong Act can reflect the actual situation in Hong Kong
政府亦會繼續透過推廣和其他活動，重建美國各界對香港前景的信心。
The Government will also rebuild the confidence of various sectors of the United States in Hong Kongs future through promotion and other activities
他們如何得知香港的情況？
How did they get to know about the situation in Hong Kong?
當時全世界也在報道這些似是而非的新聞，令香港特區政府及警方的聲譽備受質疑。
Back then such specious news stories were reported worldwide causing the reputation of the HKSAR Government and the Police to be questioned
當駐外國的經貿辦看到當地電視台播出這類似是而非的報道時，會採取甚麼行動釐清相關情況呢？
When ETOs in foreign countries see such specious news broadcast by local television stations what action will they take to clarify the relevant cases?
就剛才邵議員所說，如果一些媒體的報道與事實不符，我們經查證後會即時要求當地的傳媒機構作出更新或澄清，但當然未必每個機構也會就相關情況刊出更正。
In response to Mr SHIUs remark just now if some media reports are incorrect on account of the facts after verification we will immediately request the local media organizations to make an update or clarification . But certainly not every organization will publish a corrigendum for such cases
如果他們不願意這樣做，特區政府也會自行在政府網頁上作出澄清。
If they are not willing to do so the HKSAR Government will make clarifications on the Governments web pages of its own accord
希望大家在發布這些信息時進行對事實的核實，就其準確性作出一些審查或調查後才發布。
I hope people will do fact checks before disseminating such information . They should examine or inspect its accuracy before dissemination
很簡單，我問的是為何行政長官有機會與這位參議員會面，但竟然臨時取消？
my question is simple . Why did the Chief Executive who had the opportunity to meet with the Senator suddenly call off the meeting?
正如我所說，如果時間和情況允許，我們積極鼓勵這些會面，以進行更多溝通和交流。
As I have said if time and circumstances permit we proactively encourage such meetings for more communication and exchanges
主席，剛才郭榮鏗議員說他支持美國通過《香港法案》，認為有助保護香港的人權及法治，但其實當中亦有很多條款對香港的國際關係及國際地位有很大打擊。
President just now Mr Dennis KWOK said he supported the passage of the Hong Kong Act by the United States and considered it conducive to the protection of the human rights and rule of law in Hong Kong . But actually a number of its provisions will severely undermine Hong Kongs international relations and status
昨天美國國務卿蓬佩奧就他的說法作出回應，認為所謂"正軌"是北京遵守《中英聯合聲明》，以及遵守對香港作出的承諾，令香港得以保持獨立的法治及自由。
Yesterday the United States Secretary of State Mike POMPEO responded to his remark opining that the so - called right path is Beijing abiding by the Sino - British Joint Declaration and honouring its commitment to Hong Kong so that Hong Kong might uphold the independence of the rule of law and freedom
剛才政府和商經局局長不斷重申他們如何說服美國，但他們似乎捉錯用神。
Just now the Government and the Secretary for Commence and Economic Development have repeatedly reiterated how they tried to convince the United States . But it seems that they have got the wrong end of the stick
主席，香港有些人不理香港死活，純粹為政治目的一直推動美國的《香港法案》，我簡稱為"攬炒法"。
President some people in Hong Kong have long been promoting the United States Hong Kong Act which I call the mutual destruction act for short purely for political purposes paying no heed to the very survival of Hong Kong
他們不懂得第5條的內容，那麼，當他們遊說時，有否把香港的真實情況向美國國會議員逐一解說。
They do not know what section 5 is about . So did they explain the actual situation in Hong Kong to the Senators and Congressmen of the United States one by one when lobbying them?
市民要我問政府，為何其他國家的國會議員也不說一句公道話。
Members of the public would like me to ask the Government why the members of parliament of another country did not give the matter its fair deal
至於香港社會上普通市民的真實苦況，以及香港的法治精神和人權受破壞等慘況，他們有否清楚闡述？
As to the actual predicament of the general public in our society and such awful damage to Hong Kongs rule of law and human rights did they give a clear account?
首先，關於言論自由、保障人權和自由方面，特區政府一直以來也十分重視，亦全力維護。
First of all the HKSAR Government has all along attached great importance to and spared no effort in ensuring freedom of speech and protection of human rights and freedom
正如我剛才回應邵家輝議員的補充質詢時提到，其實很多國會議員或政府官員基於選舉導向及政治取向而有既定立場。
As I mentioned in responding to Mr SHIU Ka - fais supplementary question a number of Senators and Congressmen or government officials actually have a predetermined stance due to their electoral orientation and political inclination
我們在遊說過程中，絕對有就香港擁有的人權和言論自由及雙邊關係進行很多解說。
In the lobbying process we have absolutely given lots of explanation on the human rights and freedom of speech enjoyed by Hong Kong and the bilateral relations
主席，我們會將香港現時的實際情況，以事實為根據向當地官員、議員及其幕僚反映。
President we will convey the actual situation currently in Hong Kong to local officials members of parliament and their staffers on the basis of facts
梁美芬議員的說法，顯示建制派真的仍活於平行時空，尚未知道香港的真實情況如何。
Dr Priscilla LEUNGs remark has shown that Members from the pro - establishment camp are actually still living in a parallel universe not knowing what is really going on in Hong Kong
香港人透過選舉告訴他們，香港人要的是五大訴求，要真普選......
Through the elections Hong Kong people have told them that they call for the five demands and genuine universal suffrage
正如我剛才答覆梁議員的補充質詢時提到，我們不斷從多方面將香港的實際情況向當地官員和議員盡量作出清楚的解說。
As I stated in responding to Dr LEUNGs supplementary question just now we have been continuously presenting to local officials and members of parliament a clear picture of the actual situation in Hong Kong from various perspectives by all means
《2018年稅務條例草案》。
Inland Revenue Amendment No . 4 Bill 2018
現在處理新訂條文。
I now deal with new clauses
食物及衞生局局長，請動議二讀新訂條文。
Secretary for Food and Health you may move the Second Reading of the new clauses
主席，我動議二讀新訂的第8A及8B條。
Chairman I move the Second Reading of new clauses 8A and 8B
主席，我動議在條例草案增補新訂的第8A及8B條。
Chairman I move that new clauses 8A and 8B be added to the Bill
主席，我動議講稿附錄我的修正案，以修正第8、9、10及12條，以上均屬技術性修正案。
Chairman I move my amendments to amend clauses 8 9 10 and 12 as set out in the Appendix to the Script . These amendments are all technical in nature
修訂《條例草案》第8條，擬議第26J4條中，有關兄弟姊妹的定義，以涵蓋a納稅人或其配偶的父母所領養的個人；及b在納稅人或其配偶本身是領養子女的情況下，納稅人或其配偶的養父或養母的親生子女。
The definition of sibling in the proposed section 26J4 under clause 8 of the Bill is amended to cover a an individual who is adopted by the taxpayers or the spouses parents; and b a natural child of an adoptive parent of the taxpayer or the spouse if the taxpayer or the spouse is himself or herself an adopted child . In the light of the passage of the Inland Revenue Amendment No
因應《2017年稅務條例草案》通過，我們建議對《條例草案》的第9及10條的擬議第80及82A條，作出相應修訂，訂明若納稅人根據某自願醫保計劃保單已繳付合資格保費，獲保險公司退還，但未有在款項退還當天後的3個月內，將退款一事以書面通知稅務局局長的情況下，可施加的罰則，以及代替檢控而徵收的補加稅。
6 Bill 2017 we propose to make consequential amendments to the proposed sections 80 and 82A under clauses 9 and 10 of the Bill to specify the penalty and additional tax in lieu of prosecution for a failure to notify the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in writing of a refund of qualifying premiums under a Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme VHIS policy within three months after the date of refund
因應《2018年稅務條例草案》的通過，我們建議在《條例草案》的第12條、第12條的擬議附表3E標題旁括號內加入第112章的第63CA及63E條的提述，旨在涵蓋《條例草案》就自願醫保計劃新設的特惠扣除項目。
In the light of the passage of the Inland Revenue Amendment Bill 2018 we propose to include the references to sections 63CA and 63E of Cap . 112 under clause 12 and in the bracket next to the heading of the proposed Schedule 3E under clause 12 of the Bill to cover the new concessionary deduction in respect of VHIS under the Bill
我們懇請委員支持通過。
We implore Members to vote in favour of the amendments
《公共財政條例》第9條規定："在結算任何財政年度的帳目時，記在任何總目上的開支如超逾撥款條例撥予該總目的款額，超額之數須包括在追加撥款條例草案內，而該條例草案須在出現該超額開支的財政年度終結後，於切實可行範圍內盡快提交立法會。
Section 9 of the Public Finance Ordinance provides that [i]f at the close of account for any financial year it is found that expenditure charged to any head is in excess of the sum appropriated for that head by an Appropriation Ordinance the excess shall be included in a Supplementary Appropriation Bill which shall be introduced into the Legislative Council as soon as practicable after the close of the financial year to which the excess expenditure relates . The 2017 - 2018 financial year has ended
" 2017-2018財政年度已經完結，在84個開支總目中，有28個超出《2017年撥款條例》原先撥給該等總目的款項。
For 28 of the 84 heads of expenditure the expenditure has exceeded the sum originally appropriated for these heads in the Appropriation Ordinance 2017
有關的額外支出，主要是為了應付2017-2018年度公務員薪酬調整及支援優質教育。
The excess expenditure was mainly for coping with the 2017 - 2018 civil service pay adjustment and supporting quality education
食物及衞生局局長會動議她的修正案，以修正秘書剛讀出的條文，以及在條例草案增補新訂的第8A及8B條。各位委員現在可以就原條文及修正案進行合併辯論。我會先請局長發言及動議她就條文提出的修正案。
The Secretary for Food and Health will move her amendments to amend the clauses just read out by the Clerk and add new clauses 8A and 8B to the Bill
在2018年10月12日的內務委員會會議上，議員決定成立一個小組委員會，以研究《2018年儲稅券公告》。
At the meeting of the House Committee on 12 October 2018 Members agreed to set up a Subcommittee to study the Tax Reserve Certificates Amendment Notice 2018
為了讓小組委員會有足夠時間向內務委員會報告其審議結果，謹請議員支持議案，將該項公告的審議期限，延展至2018年11月28日的立法會會議。
To allow the Subcommittee sufficient time to report to the House Committee the result of its deliberation I call upon Members to support this motion to extend the period for deliberation of the Notice to the meeting of the Legislative Council on 28 November 2018 . RESOLVED that in relation to the Tax Reserve Certificates Amendment Notice 2018 published in the Gazette as Legal Notice No
第二項議案：延展於2018年10月10日提交本會省覽，兩項有關《稅務條例》的附屬法例的修訂期限。
Second motion To extend the period for amending two items of subsidiary legislation in relation to the Inland Revenue Ordinance which were laid on the Table of this Council on 10 October 2018
代理主席，為了吸引更多人購買自願醫保計劃下的認可產品，《2018年稅務條例草案》容許市民為自己和親屬購買認可的醫保產品時扣稅。
Deputy President in order to attract more applications for the Certified Plans under the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme VHIS the Inland Revenue Amendment No . 4 Bill 2018 allows tax deduction for the purchase of certified health insurance products for both the applicants themselves and their relatives
這個遲來並一改再改的自願醫保計劃，其實已經遠離最初的原意、忘記初心，無法幫助最有需要的人，而以扣稅吸引市民投保的成效亦相當成疑。
This belated VHIS with various amendments made has however deviated from its original intention to help people most in need . As such the effectiveness of tax deduction in attracting people to take out insurance is doubtful
早在大約20年前，政府提出了人口老化對醫療開支造成壓力的問題。
About some 20 years ago the Government pointed out that an ageing population would put health care expenditure under pressure
當時香港受亞洲金融風暴影響，經濟不景，政府擔心公共開支無以為繼，因而委託美國哈佛大學學者研究醫療融資。
Hong Kong experienced an economic downturn in the wake of the Asian financial turmoil and the Government was worried about the sustainability of public expenditure . The Government thus commissioned scholars from Harvard University in the United States to study health care financing
然而，無論是勞資雙方供款的醫療儲蓄計劃、醫療稅，還是強制醫保等建議，全都引起很大爭議。
Nevertheless various financing proposals such as a medical savings scheme with contributions from employees and employers a health care tax or mandatory health insurance had given rise to much controversy
僱主不願意供款，市民和企業亦不願意加稅，同時反對在強制性公積金之後再設"強醫金"。
Employers were unwilling to make contributions while the general public and businesses resisted a tax increase . They also opposed the idea of mandatory health care fund after the launch of the Mandatory Provident Fund
政府方面，缺乏政治意志落實強制醫保建議，預留作醫療融資的500億元只動用了一小部分，其餘不知所終，政府接着又改為研究自願醫保。
On the part of the Government it lacked a strong will to implement the mandatory health insurance proposal . After spending a small portion of the 50 billion earmarked for health care financing the Government turned to study VHIS and the whereabouts of the remaining funds was unknown
根據現時年費約4,800元的標準計劃，每宗手術可獲賠償5,000元至最多5萬元，但稍為複雜的手術費用均超過5萬元，這個賠償額相信只能彌補部分手術費。
Under the Standard Plan which charges an annual premium of around 4,800 the benefit limit per surgery is within the range of 5,000 to 50,000 . As for more complicated surgery this benefit limit can only cover part of the surgery fee since this type of surgery always costs more than 50,000
此外，在投保後才發現的未知疾病，首3年不獲全保，直至第四年才會全保，而何謂"未知疾病"亦存在灰色地帶，保險公司未必肯作賠償。
As for unknown pre - existing conditions only partial coverage will be provided in the first three years upon policy inception and full coverage will only be available in the fourth year . In addition given the grey areas in the definition of unknown conditions insurance companies may eventually deny claims
事實上，保險公司經常利用保單條文的灰色地帶拒絕賠償，變成"有得買無得賠"，政府有加強監管的必要。
It is in fact common for insurance companies to make use of grey areas in insurance policies to refuse claims
雖然自願醫保可以保證續保和將可投保年齡由65歲放寬至80歲，但亦無法彌補自願醫保的種種重大缺陷。
Although VHIS guarantees renewal and has relaxed the age limit of the insured persons from 65 to 80 these features cannot make up its major defects
根據醫療保險協會的調查，2015年香港已有400萬人購買了醫療保險，政府為何要用公帑鼓勵尚未購買醫療保險的人投保呢？
According to the survey of the Medical Insurance Association 4 million people in Hong Kong were already insured for health in 2015 . In this case why should the Government bother to incentivize those who are not insured to take out health insurance with the use of public money?
港人月入的第七十五個百分位數是26,300元，即年薪31萬元，但也不足以達到最高的17%稅階，反映大部分市民無法用盡扣稅額。
Even for those whose wages stand at the 75 percentile which is 26,300 per month or 310,000 per year they are not in the highest tax band of 17 % . In other words most of the people will not be entitled to the maximum amount of tax deduction
這個入息的"打工仔"會否為了扣稅而為所有家人每人購買一份8,000元的醫保？
Will a wage earner of this income level purchase a health insurance policy for each of his family members at an annual premium of 8,000 just to save tax?
即使是達到最高17%稅階的市民，每人最多亦只可節省1,360元稅款，但這些收入較高的市民大多已經替自己和家人購買醫保，不用政府操心。
Even if wage earners are within the highest tax band of 17 % each of them can at most save 1,360 in tax . However the higher - income group should not be the target of the Government because most of these people have already insured themselves and their family members
政府的稅率假設有 點不太符合現實，對於將會購買自願醫保的人數估計，我認為是過於樂觀。
As the Governments estimation of the uptake of VHIS is based on an unrealistic assumption of tax rate I am afraid the Government may be over optimistic . It is the wish of the Government to attract more young applicants to purchase VHIS
政府如何估算這個吸引力？
How did the Government assess the appeal?
我認為政府所說的"吸引力"，始終未能彌補政府取消高風險池的這個重大缺陷，自願醫保對解決公營醫療體系負荷過重的問題因而幫助不大。
In my view these appeals as depicted by the Government cannot make up the significant defects caused by the removal of a High Risk Pool an initiative under which the Government and insurance companies will share the risks of accepting high - risk policies . Therefore VHIS will not be an effective solution to the problem of overloading in the public health care system
推行自願醫保計劃，最多只能被視為踏前一小步。
The implementation of VHIS will at most be regarded as a small step forward
政府表示會在自願醫保計劃推行後，不時檢討其成效，並會在較後階段重新研究設立高風險池的建議。
The Government has stated that the effectiveness of VHIS would be reviewed from time to time after its implementation and the proposal of setting up a High Risk Pool would be revisited in due course
我曾經詢問政府是否已有時間表，會否在一年或兩年後進行檢討，但答案是"沒有"。
I thus asked whether there was a timetable for review and whether such a review would be conducted in one or two years time but the Governments replies were in the negative
我希望"較後階段"一詞並非一張空頭支票，更希望"重新研究"不是政府用來拖延落實有利病人措施的藉口。
I hope the words in due course will not become an empty promise and revisit is not an excuse put up by the Government to delay measures that are good for patients
如果說前朝政府英國人留給香港最有價值的幾樣東西，其中一樣便是我們的醫療制度。基本上，香港的醫療制度承傳自英國的國民保健制度。
Our health care system is one of the most valuable assets left to Hong Kong by the former British Government
這是前朝殖民地政府留給香港其中一個至今仍然有效的制度。
Among the systems left to Hong Kong by the former colonial government the health care system is one of which that remains effective today