XN000022-1977-04-21 — Page 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1977

ADVISER ON SOCIAL WELFARE ARRIVES FROM UK

*****

MR. T.S. HEPPELL, AN EXPERT IN SOCIAL SECURITY, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG YESTERDAY TO TAKE UP THE POST OF CONSULTANT TO DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.

HE IS ON TEMPORARY SECONDMENT TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY IN BRITAIN FOR A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS TO SERVE AS AN ADVISER ON SOCIAL WELFARE.

DURING HIS TIME HERE, MR. HEPPELL WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERTAKING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROVISIONS INCLUDING THE LEVEL OF PAYMENT, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION.

MR. HEPPELL, WHO IS 41 AND MARRIED, HAD BEEN SECONDED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS BETWEEN DECEMBER 1970 AND JULY 1973. HE WAS THEN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND INFIRMITY ALLOWANCES SCHEMES AND FOR PLANNING CF SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

40 CHILD CARE CENTRES EXPECTED TO BE REGISTERED THIS MONTH

******

ABOUT 30 TO 4C CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE EXPECTED TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

APPLICATIONS FROM 164 OTHERS ARE BEING PROCESSED.

EANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED CHILD CARE CENTRE OPERATORS THAT IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO RUN THEIR CENTRES AFTER JUNE 1 WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS OPENED FOR BUSINESS ITS NEW ADDRESS IN THE SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO HELP ANY PROSPECTIVE CHILD CARE CENTRE OPERATOR.

THOSE OPERATORS WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE STANDARDS REQUIRED UNDER THE CHILD CARE CENTRES ORDINANCE AND THE PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION CAN CALL 3-274477, 3-870308 03-471212 DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR INFORMATION.

ASSISTANCE CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED IN PERSON AT 692, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NORTHING, 5TH FLOOR. VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES OM ALSO OBTAIN ADVICE IN SEEKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

15