Social
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The Government's current programmes of principal UK interest are described in detail in Annex D. The four main areas of its social programme are:
(a) a ten-year housing plan designed to provide subsidised self- contained housing in a reasonable environment for all unable to pay market rents;
(b) a five-year plan for the development of existing social welfare services (e.g. a non-contributory means-tested public assistance scheme; and a non-contributory non means-tested allowances to "vulnerable groups" such as the disabled, those over 75 and the victims of disasters) to include improved community services for deprived groups, e.g. the physically and mentally handicapped, and youth;
(c) an education plan to provide by September 1978 heavily subsidised or free secondary education up to the age of 14 for all children leaving primary schools and a further two years secondary schooling up to 16 for 40% of the children; and in tertiary education to provide the equivalent of about 22,500 equivalent full time places by 1980/81 as compared with 7,600 in 71/72;
(a) a ten-year plan to expand medical and health services.
Though these plans suffered some delay due to the economic recession and the consequent weakening of the fiscal base, with the upturn in the economy, the momentum has picked up again.
8. The Governor's commitment to social reform is well recognised, even by Hong Kong's critics in this country; and he has achieved striking success in harnessing general public opinion in support of long-term and coherent plans for social progress. However, consideration of whether they can be carried out needs to take
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