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three separate ways:
44.
(1) The Public Assistance Scheme will continue to
provide help on a means-tested basis to those in the community with the least money (21,595 family units were receiving Public Assistance in January 1974).
•
If
(ii) Flat-rate, non-contributory, non-means-tested
allowances will be paid to those sections of the community who are regarded as "vulnerable groups". The first stage of this development is the new scheme of Disability and Infirmity Allowances. this first stage proves successful, consideration will be given to extending similar allowances to other vulnerable groups, such as the chronically sick and widowed mothers with young children (as at January 1974, 31,458 individuals were receiving Disability and Infirmity Allowances, at a cost in that month of HK 3,136,875).
(iii) Emergency relief will continue to be underwritten
by the Government as it is at present.
It is estimated that expenditure on social welfare will increase by about 83% between 1973/74 and 1977/78.
Education
5.
A White Paper, setting out the Hong Kong Government's plans for the development of secondary education in Hong Kong over the next 10 years, was tabled in the Legislative Council on 16 October 1974 and has now been accepted by the Council. The Government's main objective is to provide, by 1979, nine years' subsidised education (six years' primary and three secondary) for every child up to the age of 14. This target will be achieved by a more intensive use of all teaching areas in the secondary schools and by extending the school day, as well as by the school building programme. The Government accept that this is not an ideal solution, but consider it is
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/better than