415
106
EN CLAIR
PM HONG KONG 0510152
UNCLASSIFIED
HKK 013/1
DI
- 7 OCT 1977
No 10 dn
TO ROUTINE F.C.O TELNO.1002DES-OCTOBER,
OP COPT
1. I DELIVERED THE GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL TODAY CUTLINING THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME FOR THE
FORTHCOMING SESSION. DRAFTS OF THE VARIOUS SECTIONS ARE
AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG DEPARTMENT AND WERE DELIVERED SUBJECT TO NOR MORE THAN MINOR CHANGES. FULL COPIES FOLLOW BY BAG.
2. THE PRINCIPAL PROPOSALS OF MORE THAN LOCAL INTEREST WERE:
(A) EDUCATION: JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION TO BE
(1) (11)
UNIVERSAL AND FREE AS FROM SEPTEMBER 1978,
COMPULSORY FOR EACH AGE GROUP PROGRESSIVELY AS FROM
SEPTEMBER 1979,
11) IN SIMILAR STAGES EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER 15
TO BE PROHIBITED.
(B) SOCIAL WELFARE: SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS IN SERVICES TO THE HANDICAPPED, ELDERLY AND YOUTH, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND OLD AGE ALLOWANCE SCHEMES. THESE PROGRAMMES TO BE PHASED IN OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WITH THE MAJOR IMPACT BEFORE 1983. THE DETAILS FOR 1978/79 TO DE
ANNOUNCED BY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE LATER IN THE DEBATE,
(C) A SEMI-VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS, DEATH AND RETIREMENT INSURANCE SCHEME. PUBLIC, UNIONS'
PUBLIC, UNIONS', EMPLOYERS' OPINION ON THIS
PROPOSAL TO BE TESTED AND DISCUSSION OFFERED.
(D) HOUSING: (1)
*
GOVERNMENT BUILDING PROGRAMME ON TARGET, APPROXIMATELY 274,903 FLATS TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN NOW AND 1984/05
OF WHICH 42,800 FOR SALE UNDER HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME,
11 NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR FINANCING THE MOUSING AUTHORITY TO
GIVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY OVER RENTS, AUTHORITY'S
ACCUMULATED DEBT OF H.K DOLLARS 5 MILLION WRITTEN OFF.
/(3)