grants from the Lotteries Fund totalling $3.15 millions, as well as applications to hold flag days in 1970. In addition to the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, the development and implementation of various social welfare measures are also guided by the work of the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training, the Social Work Training Fund Committee and the Community Relief Trust Fund Committee. The terms of reference of these various committees are set out in Appendix 2.
New Trends in Social Welfare
107. The role of Social Welfare Department immediately after the War, as part of the then Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, and from 1958 as a separate Department, has been primarily to ensure the provision and development of basic welfare services to those in need of them. It has been recognized that despite the combined efforts of both Govern- ment and the voluntary agencies, these facilities still require expansion. An example of this kind of development which will still, of course, be pursued is the new cash Public Assistance Scheme.
108. This year, however, has indicated a change of emphasis from basic welfare such as relief work related to emergency situations, towards effectively planning the welfare resources of the community. With the aid of essential research and other studies and surveys, the specific needs of young people, of the handicapped and of other categories can be better identified and dealt with on a basis of priorities. In the field of Rehabilitation, for instance, an inter-departmental committee con- tinued to co-ordinate and promote policies for the better care of the mentally retarded and has stimulated assessment of degrees of in- telligence. In the field of welfare training which is important in upgrading the quality of work in both the public and private welfare sectors, negotiations were reaching a final stage in the appointment of a UN Adviser on youth work training.
109. There was also a recognizable trend towards involving the participation of the community as a whole in the give and take of its welfare. The Department has through its own staff broadened its com- munity work and has continued to encourage self programming groups of young people, many of which grew out of participation in the Summer Programme activities. Support was given to the continued development of an association of volunteer service which is being formed under the wing of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
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