GR 600
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 100800Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN
PEGISTRY No.52
10 FEB1975
1763/58/
TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 142 OF 10 FEBRUARY.
YOUR TEL. 098 OF 6 FEBRUARY.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS LORD BROCKWAY.
(28)
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL BE USEFUL IF LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
WISHES TO WRITE TO LORD BROCKWAY:
1. LACK OF UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE FOR ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE BETWEEN
15-55,
THERE IS NO UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE IN HONG KONG. THERE IS A PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME WHICH EXCLUDES FROM RECEIVING BENEFITS ABLE-BODIED ADULTS BETWEEN 15-55 WHO ARE FIT AND ABLE TO WORK. HOUSEWIVES WHO HAVE CHILDREN OR DISABLED DEPENDANTS TO LOOK AFTER AND THOSE IN FULL TIME EDUCATION ARE, HOWEVER, NOT EXCLUDED. BUT ABLE-BODIED UNEMPLOYED CAN SHARE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS
GIVEN TO THEIR FAMILIES.
IF THESE WORKING AGE ADULTS WERE INCLUDED IT MAY ERODE THEIR
WILL TO WORK. THIS FALLS MOST ONEROUSLY ON SINGLE PEOPLE LIVING
ALONE AND UNMARRIED COUPLES.
HOWEVER, SUCH PEOPLE ARE MORE MOBILE AND CAN THEREFORE MOVE MORE EASILY TO WHERE WORK IS AVAILABLE. HONG KONG DEPENDS OVERWHELMINGLY ON ITS ABILITY TO SELL ITS PRODUCTS ABROAD. WE THEREFORE HAVE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE OVERSEAS AND NEED TO MAINTAIN A SITUATION WHEREBY
PEOPLE ARE NOT DETERRED FROM ACTIVELY SEEKING WORK.
11.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT THREE MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN RECEIVE
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
A
Erin & HILK18),1
стрип
CONFIDENTIAL
/I IS POSSIBLE