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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1978
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IN THIS WAY. THE AIMS OF THE GREEN PAPER WOULD BE ACHIEVED ITHOUT COMPROMISING THE PRINCIPLE CF FREEDOM OF PELIGION.
1CCOMMODATION IN PUEL IC HOUSING ESTATES
THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN THOUGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE PART OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S POLICY TO ALLOW FOR EXTRA SPACE OVER AND ABOVE THE STANDARD NORI FOR FAMILIES WHICH HAVE PERSONS AGED 60 AND OVER.
HE SAID THIS WOULD BE A FURTHER INCENTIVE TO FAMILIES TC TAKE CARE OF THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS, IN THE SAME WAY AS THE DEPENDE.IT PARENTS' ALLOWANCE.
FOR THOSE OLD PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO FAMILY, SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THEM IN HOSTELS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES
IF NO OTHER ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE.
MRS. KWAN KO STU-WAH REFERRED TO THE UNDER-UTILISED QUOTA FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND ATTRIBUTED THIS TO A LACK OF PUBLICITY FOR THE SERVICE.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INVOLVED SHOULD EE INFORMED OF THE QUOTAS DETERMINED EACH YEAR. SHE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT MORE HOUSING UNITS, SPECIALLY SUITED TO THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE ESTATES.
MR. WONG LAM FURTHER URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE NEEDY ELDERLY PERSONS WHO MOVE INTO PUBLIC HOUSING WITH RENOVATION EXPENSES.
THE GREEN PAPER HAD STATED BROADLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDER ING MAKING USE OF CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS TO PROVIDE THESE EXPENSES AND SOME OTHER SERVICES.
MR. WONG BELIEVED THAT MANY WOULD FEEL SO UNEASY THAT THEY WOULD SIMPLY NOT BOTHER, THUS DEFEATING ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE GREEN PAPER.
FURTHERMORE, EVEN IGNORING THE FACT THAT MANY CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO SPECIFIC USES, THEIR LIITED INCOME MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET ALL REQUESTS, HE SAID.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES
DR. FANG POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPOFT SERVICES LISTED IN THE GREEN PAPER, SUCH AS HOME HELP AND VISITING SERVICE, COULD WELL BE PROVIDED EY YOUNG VOLUNTEERS. HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MOBILISE AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO HELP MEET ITS OBJECTIVES.
MRS. KWAN KO SIU-WAH THOUGHT THE TARGET OF 80 HONE HELPERS BY 1979/80 WAS TOO MODEST. SHE SAIL THE SERVICE IS NOT AN EXPENSIVE ONE, AND MANY JOINING AS HOME HELPERS DO NOT DO IT PURELY FOR MONETARY REWARD.
/SHE SUGGESTED