was used to advantage during the year. The fund, which is administered by the Loan Scheme Sub-Committee of the Sports and Welfare Association, provides interest-free loans to minor staff in need of financial assistance. During the year, 183 applications totalling $24,650 were approved.
125. The Staff Welfare Committee, under the Chairmanship of an Assistant Commissioner, and comprising representatives from each grade or group of grades in the department, met at quarterly intervals to discuss matters relating to conditions of service, uniforms, working equipment etc. At the last meeting in February, it was decided to change the name of the Committee to the 'Staff Consultative Committee' as this was considered to be a more appropriate title.
126. There were fifteen deaths amongst the junior staff during the year and their dependants received a total sum of $45,775 from the Pak Kam Wui or Funeral Scheme.
STAFF QUARTERS
127. Departmental quarters, consisting of either single or two or three bedroom flats or cottages, are provided for certain grades of married and single departmental staff. During the year 76 new quarters at Kwun Tong and 19 new quarters at Shek Lei were completed and at 31st March the total number of quarters was 423. All quarters are situated in or near estates or cottage areas.
PUBLICITY
128. The department continued to give appropriate publicity to its activities during the year. Officers of the Estates Division gave 96 radio and television broadcasts, those in the Squatter Control Sub-division 33 and those in the Clearance Sub-division 26.
VISITORS
129. The following distinguished persons, in chronological order, were among the overseas visitors to the department during the year:
Mr. Daniel JONES, M.P.
Mr. Brian Alastair WALDEN, M.P.
Mr. Edwin WAINWRIGHT, M.P.
Mr. R. J. HowORTH, M.P.
Mr. William Radcliffe Van Straubenzee, M.P.
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