6
the
DR. CHIU: Sir, with reference to the last paragraph, will
Secretary tell us how existing social security
arrangements can be developed and improved in order to
bring real relief to train accident victims ?
SECRETARY FOR HEAL TH AND WELFARE : sir, the Public
Assistance Scheme already provides that any household
whose income falls
falls below the prescribed level can apply
for public assistance and if this occurred as a result of
an accident by which
which someone was unable to work for an
extended period, then the Public Assistance Scheme would
be able to provide assistance in those circumstances.
MR. MARTIN
LEE:
Sir, is it realistic to rely on the
ground that railways are on private land in order to
justify the decision not to extend TAVAS to cover victims
of train accidents when So many members of the public
travel by train and are encouraged to do So by the
Government ?
SE CRE TARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I think people are.
encouraged to travel by train for quite different reasons,
one of the reasons is congestion on the roads, which I do
not think are relevant to the present issue. I have just
noticed, Sir, that the text of
of my answer which has been
distributed to Members is not the same as the text which I
how it has happened. I must
delivered. I am not sure how
apologise for that.