- 33.
Criteria in formulating social service policies
Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li Wah-ming and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Two private survey reports indicate that about one sixth of the population in the territory are living below the 'poverty line'. As there is no official definition for either 'poverty' or 'poverty line', will the Government inform this Council:
whether it classifies those eligible for comprehensive social security assistance payment as 'the poor';
(a)
(b)
of the criteria adopted by the Government in formulating social service policies for the lower-income group; and
(c)
whether the Government will conduct surveys for the purpose of formulating an official definition for 'poverty line"?
Reply:
Mr President,
-
There appears to be a general consensus amongst experts that 'poverty' as such defies definition whether in absolute or relative terms or by any other more subjective method. To seek to define it or a 'poverty line' for Hong Kong would serve no useful purpose. We would, as has been the experience elsewhere, no doubt fail to reach a consensus since any definition would involve the exercise of subjective value judgements.
My response, therefore, to the last part of this question is 'no' - the Government will not attempt to formulate an official definition of the 'poverty line'.
What is important, however, is how we go about identifying those in our society who are in need, those who are so disadvantaged that Government support should be provided to them.
For those who lack the means permanently or temporarily to provide for themselves we have a comprehensive safety net. The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme is an important part of that net. The CSSA is means tested and the level of payment comprises standard rates supplemented by specific grants to meet the individual needs of our clients. Since we have no agreed definition of poverty or who is poor, the Government does not 'classify' those eligible for CSSA as
poor,