CONFIDENTIAL
(E) THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 16,848 BEDS IN ALL HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG (RATIO OF 4.1 BEDS PER 1,000 POPULATION). EXCLUDING BEDS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS AND FIRST AND SECOND CLASS WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS THERE ARE 14,343 BEDS (A RATIO OF 3.5) IN THE GOVERNMENT
• AND GOVERNMENT-ASSISTED SECTOR. THE GOVERNMENT MAKES A MAINTENANCE CHARGE (WHICH INCLUDES MEDICINE AND TREATMENT) OF DOLLARS 2 A DAY PER PATIENT FOR THE 6,402 OF THESE BEDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS: THIS IS WAIVED IN FULL OR IN PART IN CASES OF HARDSHIP (ONLY 0.06 PERCENT IN LAST 2 YEARS). (THERE ARE NO CONTRIBUTORY PAYMENTS AS IN UK.) ABOUT 3500 BEDS IN GOV.-ASSISTED HOSPITALS ARE COMPLETELY FREE. THE HOSPITAL BEDS PROVIDED IN ARMED SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
(F) AVERAGE DAILY WAGES FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN MARCH 1973 ARE SHOW IN TABLE 5B OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1972/73. EXCLUDING FRINGE BENEFITS THEY WERE:
TEXTILES
ELECTRONICS
OVERALL
HK DOLLARS 21.35
HK DOLLARS 18.62
HK DOLLARS. 21.00
INCLUDING FRINGE BENEFITS (E.G. NEW YEAR, GOOD ATTENDANCE AND EFFICIENCY BONUSES) THEY WERE:
TEXTILES
ELECTRONICS OVERALL
HK DOLLARS 24.58
HK DOLLARS 22.82.
HK DOLLARS 24.35
MACLEHOSE
[ADVANCE COPY SENT TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE]
FILES HKIOD (4)
FED
ECON D
OLA
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
PS/PUS
SIR D WATSON
MR WILFORD
MR MALE
3
CONFIDENTIAL
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE 6 GRAFTON STREET
LONDON W1