XN000022-1972-10-18 — Page 12

12

I

Wednesday, October 18, 1972

He then referred to comprehensive proposals for the orderly development

of social welfare during the remainder of the 1970s being tabled as a draft

white paper in the Legislative Council today.

The Governor described the white paper as a "draft" only because not

all its proposals had yet been accepted by the Government, but he considered

it a "most valuable document," with the proposals representing a "practical

concensus of informed and experienced social welfare opinion on both the

philosophy and the details of a carefully phased expansion programme."

The proposals cover four main areas of development, with the first

two concerned with help in cash and the second two with help by service.

Sir Murray was sure members of the Council would want to look at

details of the implication closely, but he hoped that with their support,

white paper would "breathe new life into the social welfare services, and new

hope into those who benefit from them."

The proposals include:-

In addition to the public assistance scheme already in operation, "vulnerable groups" such as the severely disabled and the elderly infirm should receive cash assistance without a means test, in other words, a regular monthly grant on proof of disability. successful, such cash assistance should later be extended to the chronically sick or widowed mothers

with young children.

If

the

Provision