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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 1 June 1988
but at the moment it is not possible. It is a matter which the joint working group does consider to see what can be done to speed things up. And as I have indicated earlier, I shall, of course, be referring this question and the supple- mentaries that have been raised to the joint working group.
MR. CHEONG: Sir, I am glad that the Secretary is going to refer this particular matter to the joint working group but in respect of the first supplementary question that I asked, may I respectfully suggest that he should contact the Secretary for Transport, and work out some sort of a study to see whether an extension would alleviate traffic congestion inside Hong Kong?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: I am sure that the Secretary for Transport and I will be able to work something out on that, Sir.
Shortage of trained social workers
3. MR. HUI asked: In the light of the current shortage of trained social work graduates, will the Government inform this Council whether the Advisory Com- mittee on Social Work Training will take up the responsibility of mapping out a long-term social work manpower policy and in the meantime what measures will Government take to deal with the existing manpower shortage problem?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, the responsibility for formulating manpower policies and plans rests with the Director of Social Welfare and myself. The Advisory Committee on Social Work Training is consulted by the director on all aspects of social work training, but is not itself responsible for manpower policy.
I am aware that the voluntary sector is concerned, as we are, about the shortage of trained social workers. The Director of Social Welfare has recently assessed the extent of the shortage and is considering the introduction of a number of long and short-term measures to alleviate the problem. And I understand that the advisory committee discussed the various measures pro- posed at a meeting yesterday.
In accordance with its terms of reference, the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training advises the Government through the Social Welfare Advisory Committee and I look forward to receiving the advice of both bodies after the next meeting of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee.
MR. HUI: Sir, according to the information I received from the Social Welfare Department, the shortage of trained social workers will be quite acute in the next few years. Can Government inform this Council whether it will consider advertising overseas in order to attract some Hong Kong social workers living abroad to return to Hong Kong and work for a contracted period of time?