ADVISORY AND STATUTORY COMMITTEES
68. The Social Welfare Advisory Committee is, by its terms of reference, the main advisory body to Government on all matters of social welfare policy. The Director of Social Welfare is Chairman, ex officio, of the Committee. Its members are prominent private citizens actively associated with voluntary work, who are appointed in an individual capacity by the Governor. The Committee met 8 times during the year and advised Government on a number of important issues including standards of assistance to non-profit-making day nurseries and the level of financial aid to voluntary organizations towards re- current expenditure and approved capital projects. It considered applications for Government social welfare subventions and recom- mended disbursements to 61 organizations totalling $12.4 millions.
69. In addition to the Social Welfare Advisory Committee the development and implementation of various social welfare measures are considered by the Advisory Committee on Social Work Training; the Social Work Training Fund Committee; the Community Relief Trust Fund Committee and the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund Committee. The last three committees mentioned are statutory and publish individual annual reports. The terms of reference and member- ship of these committees are set out in Appendix 2.
TRENDS IN SOCIAL WELFARE
70. 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 is recognized that, despite the combined efforts of both Government and the voluntary agencies, these facilities still require considerable expansion.
71. Essential research and effective planning indicate the continued change of emphasis in the Department's thinking. Basic welfare needs are being supplemented by providing welfare resources for the whole community. In the field of community relations, for example, five resettlement estate welfare buildings were opened during the year, and four others are planned.
72. This annual report, taken as a whole, has sought to show that progress is being maintained in this very diverse field. Endeavours
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