XN000022-1975-10-08 — Page 25

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WEDNESDA: OCTOBER 8, 1975

MORE TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

X X X X X

MORE PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE HELP UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME.

IN HIS REVIEW OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE COST OF THESE FORMS OF SOCIAL WELFARE WAS EXPECTED TO RISE FROM $71 MILLION IN 1973/74 TO ABOUT $260 MILLION IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AN INCREASE OF NEARLY 265 PER CENT IN TWO YEARS.

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HE NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF THOSE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE HAD RISEN FROM 42,000 AT THE END OF 1974 TO OVER 52,000 AT THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR, AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THERE WOULD BE 65,000 BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RECEIVING HELP UNDER THE DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME WAS LIKELY TO RISE ABOVE 70,000 BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, COMPARED WITH THE 60,000 AT THE END OF JULY.

+TAKEN TOGETHER WITH FREE OR HEAVILY SUBSIDISED EDUCATION AND NEARLY FREE MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND HEAVILY SUBSIDISED HOUSING, THESE SOCIAL WELFARE SCHEMES REPRESENT A LARGE PART OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL SECURITY NET, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

+THE GREATLY INCREASED EXPENDITURE THEREFORE INDICATES THAT THE MACHINERY YOUR GOVERNMENT HAS DEVISED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL HAS WORKED IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WAS INTENDED TO MEET,+ HE SAID.

IN ADDITION TO THE HEAVIER EXPENDITURE ON THESE RELIEF MEASURES, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN POSSIBLE TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS WITH ITEMS IN THE FIVE-YEAR SOCIAL WELFARE PLAN.

THESE INCLUDED THE OPENING OF THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, A YOUTH CENTRE, YOUTH HOSTELS, THE NEW EMERGENCY RELIEF KITCHEN IN KOWLOON CAPABLE OF FEEDING OVER 35,000 PEOPLE A DAY, CAMPS AND MORE PLACES TO REHABILITATE THE HANDICAPPED, AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERY AS WELL AS 530 NEW SUBVENTED PLACES IN DAY CARE CENTRES.

THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT SEVERAL OTHER PLANS HAD HAD TO BE DEFERRED NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED SUMS AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT. BUT ALSO BECAUSE PRIVATE SOURCES WERE IN DIFFICULTIES TOO.

SIR MURRAY SAID IT WAS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF THESE ITEMS COULD BE PURSUED IN 1976/77, BUT WE HAVE TO FACE THE POSSIBILITY THAT EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES MAY INCREASE FURTHER IN THAT YEAR.

+IF IT DOES, THIS WILL RESTRICT OUR ABILITY TO EXPAND IN OTHER DIRECTIONS UNLESS NEW RESOURCES ARE FORTHCOMING.+

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