XN000022-1981-12-23 — Page 3

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WEDNESDA

HRER 23, 1981

HELP FOR STREET SLEEPERS

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT KEEPS A CENTRAL REGISTER OF ALL STREET SLEEPERS AND DISTRIBUTES BLANKETS TO THEM DURING COLD SPELLS.

IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT KEEPS OPEN ITS COMMUNITY CENTRES AS OVERNIGHT SHELTERS FOR THEM, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HON. S. E. ALLEYNE STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ANDREW SO.

MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT HELP IN ACCOMMODATION, FINANCIAL AID, EMPLOYMENT AND COUNSELLING WAS GIVEN TO THOSE WILLING TO ACCEPT IT.

HOWEVER, THE MENTALLY DERANGED, OR THOSE WHO APPEAR TO BE SO, WERE DIFFICULT TO HELP, MAINLY BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS OF COMMUNICATION.

+THEY ARE UNDOUBTEDLY AN UNWELCOME SIGHT ON OUR STREETS, BUT THEY GENERALLY KEEP TO THEMSELVES AND SO LONG AS THEY DO NOTM DISTURB THE PEACE OR CAUSE OBSTRUCTIONS, THEY ARE NOT ASKED TO MOVE ON,+ HE SAID.

MR ALLEYNE SAID STREET SLEEPERS PROBABLY NEEDED HOUS NG MOST, PARTICULARLY IN CENTRAL AND CONVENIENT LOCATIONS BUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT MOST OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING THAT IS BECOMING AVAILABLE IS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+WE GIVE PRIORITY TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE OLD, INFIRM AND DISABLED, THE AIM BEING TO ENSURE THAT THESE VULNERABLE GROUPS ARE OFFERED GENUINE ALTERNATIVES TO STREET SLEEPING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,+ HE SAID.

WATER CHARGES NOT AFFECTED BY DESALTER, FS SAYS

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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, CONFIRMED TODAY THAT WATER CHARGES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE UNAFFECTED BY THE OPERATION OF THE DESALTER.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO, MR BREMRIDGE SAID +NO INCREASE IN WATER CHARGES HAS YET BEEN FORMULATED, MUCH LESS PROPOSED. IF, AS IS LIKELY, THIS SOON BECOMES NECESSARY I CONFIRM THAT THE WATER TARIFF CHARGES WILL CONTINUE TO REMAIN UNAFFECTED BY THE OPERATION OF THE DESALTER. THE LATTER

IS A USEFUL STRATEGIC AND EMERGENCY STANDBY. IT IS NOT REGARDED AS A COMPONENT OF NORMAL WATER SUPPLY OPERATIONS.+

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