WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1991
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NO ONE NEEDS TO BRG ON STREETS UNDER EXISTING WELFARE SYSTEM
OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM FORMED A SAFETY NET POR THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY WHO COULD NOT PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF DAILY LIFE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MRS WONG SAID THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME PROVIDED CASH ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO BRING THEIR INCOME AND RESOURCES TO A LEVEL SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE COST OF ESSENTIAL ITEMS.
ADDED.
"OTHER ALLOWANCES ARK OFFERED TO MEET SPECIAL
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NEEDS, SHR
MRS WONG SAID A SEPARATE RENT ALLOWANCE WAS PAYABLE TO MERT THE COST OF ACCOMMODATION.
SHE SAID ALL THESE PAYMENTS ARE REVISED REGULARLY ΤΟ ENSURB THAT THEIR REAL PURCHASING POWER IS NOT ERODED BY INFLATION.
"UNDER THE EXISTING WELFARE SYSTEM, NO ONE SHOULD NEED TO BEG ON THE STREETS FOR A LIVING, SHE ASSURED.
MRS WONG SAID THESE BENEFITS AND THE FULL ARRAY OF WELFARE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND FAMILY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND WERB WIDELY PUBLICIZED.
SHE ADDED THAT NO PERSON, WHATEVER THE PROBLEM CONFRONTING HIM, SHOULD NEED TO FEEL THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO BEG ON THE STREETS.
SHE SAID SECTIONS 26A AND 26B OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE MADE IT UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO BEG IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE OR TO ASK FOR MONEY IN A THREATENING MANNER.
OUTREACHING SOCIAL SOCIAL WORKERS WILL ALSO APPROACH BEGGARE WHEN SPOTTED OR REPORTED BY CONCERNED CITIZENS AND WILL INTRODUCE THEM TO WELFARE SERVICES AVAILABLE, THE SECRETARY SAID.
THEIR
"ON THE RARE OCCASIONS THAT CHILDREN ARE FOUND BBGGING OR ACCOMPANYING PERSONS BEGGING, SWIFT ACTION TO ENSURE AND SECURE WELL-BEING WILL BE TAKEN, MRS WONG SAID.
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