XN000022-1980-01-02 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1980

PA APPLICATIONS FROM OLD PEOPLE

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PROCESSES IN THE NORMAL WAY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS FROM OLD PEOPLE WHO LIVE APART FROM AND ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THEIR ADULT CHILDREN.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON, ERIC HO IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FA ! AT TODAY'S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

DR. HO HAD ASKED HOW THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINED THE ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WHOSE ADULT CHILDREN DECLINED TO SUPPORT THEM AND REFUSED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE WELFARE AUTHORITIES.

IN REPLY, MR. HO POINTED OUT THAT FOR ELDERLY APPLICANTS LIVING WITH THEIR ADULT CHILD OR CHILDREN, AND WHERE THERE WERE CONTRADICTORY CLAIMS FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED, ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF THE DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATOR'S OBSERVATIONS OF THE DAILY PATTERN OF LIFE OF THE APPLICANT, SUPPLEMENTED BY ANY EVIDENCE OF THE SOURCE OF SUPPORT.

+ IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY CONCRETE EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY, SHARING OF COOKING UTENSILS AND MEALS WITH INDEPENDENT ADULT CHILDREN WOULD USUALLY BE TAKEN AS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT BY THE LATTER, AND THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE TO BE ASSESSED AS A UNIT FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PURPOSES, HE SAID.

HE ADDED THAT ANY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE APPLICANT, WHO IS AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, CAN APPEAL TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARD WHOSE MEMBERS ARE ALL CANTONESE-SPEAKING PRIVATE CITIZENS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

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CHECK FOR FACTORY FIRE HAZARDS

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THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU MADE 268 000 INSPECTIONS OF BUILDINGS OF ALL KINDS INCLUDING FACTORIES AND DANGEROUS GOODS STORES IN THE FIRST 11 MONTHS OF 1979.

IN ADDITION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 33 477 INSPECTIONS OF FACTORIES INCLUDING CHECKS FOR FIRE HAZARDS DURING THE SAME PERIOD.

THESE FIGURES WERE GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE

LEWIS DAVIES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. S.L, CHEN

HON. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. DAVIES ALSO NOTED THAT DURING THE SAME PERIOD THERE WERE 460 FIRES IN FACTORIES IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND 92 IN FACTORIES IN DOMESTIC PREMISES COMPARED WITH 474 AND 80 RESPECTIVELY IN 1978.

+FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN NEW INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ARE CONSIDERED BEFORE BUILDING PLANS ARE APPROVED. AT THAT STAGE THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES SPECIFIES THE FIRE EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE BUILDING AND THOSE WORKING IN IT.

/+ON COMPLETION

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