Brief No8
SIR LESLIE MONSON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG
APRIL 1972
SOCIAL SERVICES: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
1.
Revised arrangements for public assistance (allowances
in cash in place of dry rations) were introduced at the
beginning of 1971. The number receiving assistance under
the new scheme rose from 7,000 in January 1971 to over
13,000 at the beginning of 1972.
2.
Further improvements were announced in this year's
budget
(a)
(b)
60% rise in the scales of assistance,
higher allowances for rent,
3.
(0) more generous help for those on special
diet.
&
!
The Social Welfare Department have claimed that "with
these improvements the Hong Kong public assistance scheme will provide by far the most effective system in South East
Agia perhaps the whole of Asia - of guaranteed income for
those in need”.
4. However during the debate on the budget the new rates were described by Unofficial Members as "meagre and "inadequate".
Some stressed the "need for widened scope and speedy implementation" and others argued that "aged people in
need should be granted better public assistance than the others - not merely on a subsistence level".
5. In the course of his reply the Colonial Secretary announced that a Working Party to consider the future heeds of the
elderly was already at work.
Hong Kong Department April 1972