I am pleased to note that Members generally support the approach we have adopted and acknowledge the importance of staff consultation in abolishing outmoded allowances. We will continue with this long-standing practice. Like PAC Members, I am hopeful that the staff side will act reasonably and positively towards the Administration's proposals. Thirdly, the review of existing benefits and allowances could not be driven solely by cost savings. To safeguard the quality of public service, the Administration has a duty to ensure that the revised benefits are more akin to private sector practice and at the same time are attractive enough to recruit and maintain officers of suitable calibre in the civil service.
Much work lies ahead in reforming the civil service to meet new challenges.
We will keep this Council informed of the progress. The Administration's policy on management of on-street parking spaces and parking facilities is clear. The eventual aim is to extend metering to all on-street parking spaces in urban areas and New Towns. The Transport Department has been installing parking meters in urban areas and New Towns under a five-year rolling programme. It is planning to install some 3,300 new parking meters in the coming three years and to extend another 3,000 existing meters to operate on Sundays and public holidays this year.