XN000022-1979-10-10 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1979

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SUBVENTION SYSTEM FOR

SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES BEING REVIEWED

*****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN REVIEWING THE PRESENT SUBVENTION SYSTEM FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND A REPORT IS EXPECTED SHORTLY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ANY CHANGES WERE MADE.

REFERRING TO THE REGIONALISATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SIR MURRAY SAID THE NEW STRUCTURE IS WORKING SMOOTHLY AND DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO KEEP IN CLOSER TOUCH WITH BOTH DISTRICT OFFICERS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY WORK IN THEIR REGIONS.+

SIR MURRAY POINTED OUT THAT THE WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION SERVICES PUBLISHED IN 1977 AND THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE PUBLISHED THIS YEAR HAD OUTLINED DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR HONG KONG'S SOCIAL WELFARE AND SECURITY SYSTEM.

*THE PLANS ARE NOT IMMUTABLE AND WILL BE REVIEWED AND ADJUSTED FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT THEY DO GIVE US A CLEAR FRAMEWORK FOR EXPANSION AND A DEFINED TIMESCALE FOR ACTION AND IMPROVEMENT, SAID.

+SHORTAGE OF TRAINED MANPOWER WILL CONTINUE TO RESTRICT PROGRESS FOR SOMETIME, BOTH IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD AND IN THAT OF REHABILITATION, AND LATER IN THE DEBATE THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WILL BE EXPLAINING WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT,* SIR MURRAY ADDED.

HẸ

HE

+SUBJECT TO THIS, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLANS IS PROCEEDING WELL. +

SIR MURRAY SAID THE NEW TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME HAD ALREADY PROVED A USEFUL ADDITION TO HONG KONG'S WELFARE SYSTEM.

THE SCHEME, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY, PROVIDES IMMEDIATE CASH ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND THE IR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF FAULT OR INCOME LEVEL.

CONCERNING PROPOSALS IN A GREEN PAPER FOR A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME, SIR MURRAY SAID THEY WERE STILL BEING DISCUSSED AND NO CONCLUSION HAD YET BEEN REACHED ON THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED.

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