XN000022-1973-05-09 — Page 8

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Wednesday, May 9, 1973

NO ONE NEED TO BEG FOR A LIVING IN HONG KONG

There is absolutely no need for anyone in Hong Kong to beg

for a living in the streets.

The Director of Social Welfare, the Hon. F.K. Li, said that this

was because basic needs are adequately met by public assistance, by the

recently introduced disability and infirmity allowance scheme and by a

variety of welfare services provided by government and voluntary organisations. Mr. Li was speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to a

question by the Hon. Wilson Wang.

He said that government is already enforcing laws prohibiting begging whenever this comes to notice and will continue to do so in future.

Mr. Li said that while the number of beggars seen in the streets

has definitely decreased in recent years, some have persisted in begging

and when detected have been prosecuted in court.

During 1972, the police prosecuted 455 cases of vagrancy, the

majority of which involved begging.

Mr. Li said his department is particularly concerned with cases

where children are exploited by irresponsible adults.

He said that when such a case becomes known to the department

a full investigation is carried out and approprite action taken for the protection of the child. This includes, if necessary, an application to the court for the removal of the child from the irresponsible parents.

In reply to a question from the Hon. S.B. Wong, the Director of Medical and Health Services, Dr. the Hon. G.H. Choa, said existing legal provisions for mentally sick persons, including beggars and vagrants, was considered adequate and it was not thought necessary to introduce new legislation.

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