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The Commission conducted a wide consultation exercise among experts and interested parties, and also carried out a comprehensive survey of public opinions.
The reforms proposed by the Commission were well received by interested organisations and the general public, he said.
Mr Suen emphasised that it was no part of Government policy to encourage divorce.
"On the contrary, the Government has been devoting considerable resources to expanding and strengthening services in support of the family," he said.
Mr Suen said marriage counselling and mediation constituted an integral part of the family casework services provided by the Social Services Department and subvented organisations.
He said such services were provided at a total of 62 Family Services Centres located throughout the territory.
"To strengthen services for the family, additional family caseworkers were recruited last year and more will be engaged in the current financial year," he said.
Mr Suen said apart from expanding and strengthening service provision, the Government was committed to making information on marriage counselling and mediation services more available and accessible to potential clients.
The information will be widely distributed through various channels including the Divorce Registry, Legal Aid offices, the Police, Social Welfare Department, district offices, non-governmental organisations and legal practitioners in the family law area, he said.
Meanwhile, said Mr Suen, the Family Care Demonstration and Resource Centre in Chai Wan established last year with a generous donation from the Zonta Club of Hong Kong has provided demonstration and practical skills training to married couples in small group sessions on family care and home management.
In addition, 19 Family activity and resource centres have been established since last year to serve as convenient drop-in centres for families in the locality, he said.
End/Thursday, May 25, 1995