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was argued that we should press the Hong Kong Government to dispense with the "defined period of unemployment" and to reduce the length of the "residence qualifications". It was also agreed that we should press for a general review of the workings of this aspect of the Public Assistance scheme a year and a half after its inception. It was agreed after discussion that Lord Goronwy-Roberts should be consulted with a view to enquiry being made of Hong Kong on:
(i) the length of the residence qualification; and
(ii) the length of the "defined period of unemployment"
On (i) it was thought that three years might perhaps be too long and a year might prove more widely acceptable. It might also be simpler from an administrative point of view as it would avoid discrimination with other recipients who qualified after a year under present regulations. On (ii), it would be difficult, given the intention that there should be a means-test to justify any period of qualifying unemployment. Means-tested assistance was perhaps necessary in order that the scheme should be started soon, but in the longer term it should be possible to move towards unemployment benefit as a right. It was pointed out that the Governor had directed that the scheme should be administered as loosely as possible and had therefore proposed stiffer criteria for eligibility than he might otherwise have done so as to prevent "shirkers" drawing assistance too early. There was opposition to the scheme from the workers themselves. It was evident that Hong Kong's circumstances were different from those of the UK and that there should therefore be no attempt to translate the UK system to Hong Kong. Hong Kong might, however, be offered expert assistance to assess her own requirements, for the extension of the Public Assistance Scheme beyond those mentioned by the Governor in his statement to the Legislative Council.
(b) Agenda Item 2(b): Secondary Education
While noting Hong Kong's considerable efforts in this field, the meeting still felt some concern that so large a percentage of Hong Kong children of senior secondary school age would not, on present plans, be receiving secondary schooling. It was pointed out that two factors in particular; unforeseen setbacks in the school-building programme and the current lack of a large output from junior secondary schools, had limited the growth of the senior secondary system.
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