HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
28 June 1989
香港立法局
一九八九年六月二十八日
57
一致,以身作則,並能開明而積極地誘導子女的整體成長,使家庭推行性教育有一個穩固的起步 點,性教育由家庭開始是正確的。目前,這方面的工作多數由志願機構提供,本人認為政府有責 任給予更大的支持和推動。
最後,趁著今年是國際兒童年十週年,希望政府能對「兒童」服務有一個中央政策,包括整體 兒童發展範疇的原則,成立一個常務委員會,負責就所有與兒童有關的事務,向政府提供意見, 檢討以往的服務政策及提出修改政策的建議。
主席先生,本人謹此陳辭,支持動議。
MRS. LAU: Sir, the 10th Anniversary of the International Year of the Child marks a timely moment when we should reflect on what we have been doing for the children of today, evaluate the sufficiency of our various child care services and consider what more we can do and for our next generation.
In recent years, the number of mothers engaged in gainful employment has increased mainly due to economic necessity. By 1987, the female labour force in Hong Kong has exceeded the 1 million mark. The figure in 1988 represents a 10.6% increase over that of 1983 and the rising trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. With more and more women being drawn into the labour force, the impact of maternal employment upon children, particularly in relation to their care and control, becomes increasingly more important.
One of the objectives of the family welfare services provided by the Social Welfare Department is to ensure that sufficient day nursery places are provided for all children aged between two and six and subsidized day creche places are provided for all children aged under two who cannot be cared for by their parents during the day time. This objective aims particularly at assisting working parents.
Let us examine what the Social Welfare Department has achieved in this area. In relation to nurseries, the working ratio adopted has for some years been 100 places per 20 000 general population. Up to April 1989, there are 28 558 places in nurseries, 17 756 being aided places and 10 802 places being provided by the private sector. The places in day creches are a meagre 917. The current plan is to provide 1 600 additional nurseries every year. In recent years, there have been much complaint that day nurseries and creches are insufficient. However the Administration's stand has been a stubborn one of reluctance to improve beyond current arrangements. Accidents which have occurred to young children over the past few years have caused questions to be raised in