were registered as the victims of the rainstorms. There were 98 minor natural disasters during the year which rendered 5,146 people homeless, all of whom were given assistance by the Social Welfare Department. Full details of assistance given can be seen at Appendix 7.1.
Legal Aid
95. The Social Welfare Department assists the Director of Legal Aid in investigating the financial standing of applicants for legal aid in both civil and criminal cases and in assessing their capability for contribution to the cost of legal aid. During the year, 2,529 applica- tions were dealt with by the Division as compared with 2,234 during the previous year.
Repatriation of distressed British Subjects
96. It is also the responsibility of the division to provide distressed British Subjects with assistance, including cash grants on loan, towards their repatriation, During the year, a total number of 15 repatriation cases of this kind were dealt with
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