XN000022-1986-11-12 — Page 31

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1986

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HE SUGGESTED THAT MORE TAX ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO TOOK CARE OF THEIR PARENTS FINANCIALLY.

MR TAI NOTED THAT THE INADEQUATE PROVISION OF INFIRMARY PLACES HAD RESULTED IN MANY OLD PEOPLE CONTINUING TO OCCUPY ALREADY CROWDED HOSPITAL WARDS WHEN THEY COULD BE CARED FOR IN LESS EXPENSIVE INFIRMARIES.

HE SAID THE BUILDING OF MORE INFIRMARIES WAS A MORE COST- EFFECTIVE WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

MR TAI SUGGESTED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO FURTHER EXPAND THE COMMUNITY NURSING PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE HOUSE-CARE HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY SO AS TO EASE THE SHORTAGE OF PLACES IN HOSPITALS AND INFIRMARIES.

HE SAID THAT COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES SHOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY TO INTEGRATE THEM BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND URGED THAT BETTER PUBLICITY BE GIVEN TO THESE SERVICES.

ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO FAMILIES OF BUS ACCIDENT VICTIMS

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THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS IN THE RECENT DOUBLE-DECKER BUS ACCIDENT IN TUEN MUN HAVE BEEN OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO COPE WITH THE TRAGIC SITUATION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON HARNAM GREWAL, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR GREWAL SAID THE ASSISTANCE INCLUDED COUNSELLING, TEMPORARY PLACEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN, ADVICE ON OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS LEGAL AID AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME (TAVA).

FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES WERE BEING ASSISTED TO APPLY FOR WAIVER OF HOSPITAL CHARGES AND FOR CASH GRANTS FROM CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS, HE ADDED.

MR GREWAL WENT ON TO SAY THAT UNDER THE TAVA SCHEME, BURIAL GRANTS OF UP TO $3 000 FOR EACH VICTIM HAD BEEN OFFERED, AS HAD CASH GRANTS TO MEET OTHER NEEDS EITHER UNDER THE SCHEME OR FROM OTHER CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS.

/TO DATE.