CO129-626-7 Hong Kong War Memorial Fund 1-8-1951 - 31-1-1952 — Page 33

W.M.F. No. 1/0/APP.

HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND OFFICE.

OLD URBAN COUNCIL BUILDING,

STATUE SQUARE,

(TEL. 28423)

HONG KONG,.

10th August, 1951.

33

Eut

sir,

I am directed by my Committee to ask for information regarding the various forms of assistance and pensions available for people in the United Kingdom.

2.

My Committee administers a Fund known as the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund which is a fund established by Government Ordinance in Hong Kong to render assistance to the widows and children of persons who served in specified Volunteer or Civil Defence units and Regular H.M. Forces in Hong Kong, and who were incapacitated or died as a result of such service during the period of the Japanese invasion and occupation of this Colony between December, 1941, and 1945. Such assistance is also extended to persons, or widows and children of persons, who were tortured by the Japanese or who were executed by them.

3.

A mumber of the beneficiaries of the Fund are resident in the United Kingdom and it would appear that we may sometimes do them more harm than good by disqualifying them for allowances which they would have received had they not been obtaining assistance from us.

It is because of this that my Committee has directed me

to apply for general information from you.

40

I

My Committee also requests particular information on the position of a Mrs. Carr, a seventy-one year old widow living in Devon. She is apparently receiving 21/6d. per week National Assistance and 27/6d. per week from another Fund in Hong Kong. presume that the clause demanding twelve years' residence in the United Kingdom before one becomes eligible for Old Age Pension disqualifies her from that. It has been suggested that should we make any particular grant in her case, the 21/6d. per week which she receives as National Assistance would be stopped immediately.

5.

We should appreciate your advice on this question in particular and on the system of allowances, etc., in ceneral.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your obedient servant,

AFRich-

Secretary,

Hong Kong War Memorial Fund Committee.

The Assistant Secretary of State for the Colonies,

Colonial Office,

Church Street,

LONDON

APR: KHK.