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"We intend to expand our orientation and information services which offer new arrivals advice on how to obtain the assistance of the social services if they need it.
"The children must be our first priority. In April, we launched a special programme to introduce newly-arrived children to Hong Kong life. We help them find school places, and we provide courses to assist some 6,000 of them to catch up with their Hong Kong classmates in key subjects.
"While most new arrivals seem to settle in quickly, our concern remains that some may face special difficulties in integrating fully into our society," Mr Patten said.
The Governor said the Home Affairs Department had been given direct responsibility for monitoring and assessing the services provided to ease the process of integration and to identify groups who are especially at risk.
"Through the District Officers' liaison network, we should be able to make sure our programmes reach those who need help and identify the most suitable approach for responding to the practical problems as they emerge at the district level," he added.
End/Wednesday, October 11, 1995
CS to look into handling of government business in LegCo
The Chief Secretary has been asked to look into the best way of handling government business in the Legislative Council (LegCo), the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, told the Legislative Council today (Wednesday).
The Governor said some people had suggested that there should be a more formal channel of communication between the executive and the legislature.
He said for various reasons LegCo members did not think his suggestion, three years ago, of establishing a Government-LegCo Committee was the right answer.
"I have an open mind on this subject. But I believe that all of us recognise that there are issues relating to the handling of government business in this Council which the administration needs to discuss with Members," he added.
The Governor said Hong Kong's peculiar constitution defines quite separate and distinct roles for the executive and the legislature.