24
Wednesday, August 1, 1973
FUND FOR ORPHANS OF LAST YEAR'S RAINSTORM DISASTER
The Director of Social Welfare, the Hon. F.K. Li, told the
Legislative Council today that a fund is to be set up for orphans of
last year's rainstorm disaster from money remaining out of public donations
made to the victims.
He said that the fund will be allocated to 49 orphans or semi
orphans on a variable scale, depending on age and which parent was killed
in the disaster.
The money will be held in trust to be used for their maintenance,
education or welfare with the balance being handed to them when they
reach an appropriate age.
Mr. Li, who was tabling a statement of accounts, said that just
over $17.3 million had been received by his department as donations in
response to appeals for aid to the victims.
To date, about $11.8 million had already been distributed among
some 24,355 families.
remains.
A sum of $5.5. million plus two properties worth about $220,000
"These sums of money were given for the victims of this particular
disaster and although consideration was given to the possibility of
transferring the sum by legislation to the Community Relief Trust Fund
to help victims of future disasters, I have been advised that the sum
should be expended for the purposes for which the donations were made.
"After