CONFIDENTIAL
て
that it would come into force on 1 April 1977. Neverthe-
less, it expressed misgiving on two counts:
(a) the difference in the residential criteria to be
applied to different age groups seeking public assistance
ie two years for those under 55 and one year for those
over 55; and
(b) the terms of reference for the review of the public
assistance scheme that a DHSS expert in social welfare
would be helping to conduct. The terms of reference, as
at present drafted, were confined to social welfare
arrangements and to short term improvements in the
existing public assistance scheme whereas there was a
need to start work on a longer term revision of both
social welfare and social security policies;
(ii)
Confidential note for the TUC (paragraph 4 of the
minutes of the first meeting): The Note, after approval
by Lord Goronwy-Roberts and the Governor, had been sent
to the TUC on 14 December. It could come up for
discussion on 25 February when the Secretary of State
would be holding one of his regular meetings with members
of the TUC's International Committee;
(iii) Labour Advisory Board papers (sub paragraph 2b of
the minutes of the last meeting): the meeting expressed
regret that the Hong Kong Government had not seen its
way to allowing the Overseas Labour Adviser access to
these papers;
(iv) The two-way secondment project (paragraph 1d of
the minutes of the last meeting): some difficulties were
being encountered on the 'question of the terms of service
for Diplomatic Service officers to be seconded to the
Hong Kong Government. The meeting noted Lord Goronwy-
Boberts' view that the project was impaktant