XN000022-1986-11-12 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1986

HE SAID HE FELT THAT THIS LEVEL OF SUBVENTION SHOULD BE RAISED TO AT LEAST 100 PER CENT TO LESSEN THE AGENCIES' BURDEN IN PAYING STAFF SALARIES, AND TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THEM TO TURN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE COMMUNITY CHEST FOR THE BALANCE IN FUNDS.

ON THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF SUBVENTIONS FOR AGENCIES' PROGRAMMES AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, MR LI SAID A MUCH MORE REALISTIC ASSESSMENT BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS NEEDED SO THAT AGENCIES COULD RECEIVE INCREASES AT THE VERY LEAST ON A PAR WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION.

HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD PAY OUT SUBVENTIONS ON A PROMPT MONTHLY BASIS INSTEAD OF ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, OR ALTERNATIVELY SHOULD PROVIDE FUNDS TO ENABLE THE AGENCIES TO CARRY OUT THE ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACCOUNTING WORK INVOLVED IN REPAYMENT OF INTEREST ON SUBVENTION FUNDS.

POLICY SHOULD TAKE POSITIVE APPROACH

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HONG KONG'S FUTURE POLICY ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY SHOULD BE A POSITIVE ONE OF COMMUNITY CARE RATHER THAN A PASSIVE ONE OF RELIEF.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON CARE AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.

HE SAID THE PRINCIPLE OF SUCH NEW POLICY SHOULD AIM AT ASSISTING THOSE AGED 60 OR OVER TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.

MR CHUNG PUT FORWARD THREE SUGGESTIONS IN THIS RESPECT. FIRSTLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPEED UP ITS EXPANSION PROGRAMME AND IMPROVE THE SERVICES OF THAT COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE CENTRES OFFERED TO THE ELDERLY.

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AT PRESENT. THERE WERE ONLY 45 SUCH CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY AND THE RANGE OF THEIR SERVICES WAS INADEQUATE.

/IF ACCOMMODATION