XN000022-1978-04-26 — Page 39

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1978

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DISCIPLINED SERVICES (WELFARE FUNDS) BILL

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A BILL AMENDING THE ORDINANCES OF ALL THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES SO AS TO PERMIT GRANTS TO BE MADE FROM THEIR WELFARE FUNDS TO THE DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED SERVING OR FORMER MEMBERS WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

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THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES (WELFARE FUNDS) BILL 1978, IF PASSED, WILL ENABLE THE HEAD OF EACH DISCIPLINED SERVICE FIRE SERVICES, HAWKER CONTROL FORCE, POLICE FORCE, PRISONS, IMMIGRATION AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICES -- TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNTS OF GRANTS OR LOANS IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, AND THE FUNDS AVAILABLE.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON. MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID HE BELIEVED THE BILL WOULD BE WELCOMED BY MEMBERS OF ALL THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.

EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE BILL, MR. ROWLANDS SAID A LONG TIME AGO, FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF TWO IMMIGRATION OFFICERS, THE STAFF SIDE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF CONSULT- ATIVE COUNCIL RECOMMENDED THAT THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE ORDINANCE AND THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE (WELFARE FUND) REGULATIONS BE AMENDED IN TWO RESPECTS.

THE FIRST WAS TO ENABLE OUTRIGHT GRANTS TO BE PAID TO THE DEPENDENTS OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE, THE SECOND WAS TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM LIMIT ON LOANS TO SERVING MEMBERS.

MR. ROWLANDS SAID IT WAS FELT THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.

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ARRANGEMENTS AT CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS

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ALL CASUALTY DEPARTMENTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS ARE STAFFED AND EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH CASES ON A 24-HOUR BASIS, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. THE HON. K.L. THONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ALEX WU, DR. THONG SAID THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS AND MEDICAL OFFICERS IN-CHARGE OF SUCH DEPARTMENTS MONITORED, ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE STAFFING AND OTHER FACILITIES SO THAT THESE WERE CONSISTENT WITH ADEQUATE STANDARDS OF MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WERE AVAILABLE WITHOUT UNDUE DELAY.

DR. THONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE KEPT UNDER REVIEW AND SUITABLE ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE AS NECESSARY.

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