XN000022-1980-06-11 — Page 12

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1980

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BEGGING FOR A LIVING NOT NECESSARY

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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN SAID TODAY THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEMES HAD MADE IT UNNECESSARY FOR ANYONE TO BEG FOR A LIVING.

IN REPLY TO THE HON ANDREW SO WHO ASKED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GIVE UP BEGGING, MRS CHAN SAID ALL KNOWN CASES WERE INVESTIGATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE GIVEN, INCLUDING CASH ASSISTANCE, COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, JOB PLACEMENT, INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND OTHER REHABILITATION SERVICES.

+ THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN SOCIAL SERVICES COUPLED WITH EASY ACCESSIBILITY BY THOSE WHO REQUIRE HELP, WOULD ACT MORE EFFECTIVELY AGAINST BEGGING THAN PROSECUTIONS IN COURT, SHE SAID.

PILOT RESERVOIR SPORTS SCHEME

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PLOVER COVE, SHING MUN AND HIGH ISLAND RESERVOIRS HAVE POTENTIAL FOR SAILING, CANOEING AND ROWING, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON F.K. LI TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, MR LI SAID THE WORKING PARTY SET UP TO LOOK INTO THE USE OF RESERVOIRS FOR WATER SPORTS HAD REACHED THIS CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDED THAT A DETAILED ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING ONE OF THESE RESERVOIRS FOR A PILOT SCHEME.

+THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ENDORSED THE WORKING PARTY'S RECOMMENDATION AND THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE APPROVED IN DECEMBER 1979 A CATEGORY D ITEM IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF A CONSULTANT TO UNDERTAKE THE INVESTIGATION.

+THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES IS NOW LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE CONSULTANT, MR LI SAID,

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