XN000022-1991-12-18 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1991

ON CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL'S IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICE MORALE AND RESOURCES, MR STRACHAN SAID THE BILL HAD BEEN MOTIVATED BY THE POLICE THEMSELVES AND COURT PROSECUTORS, WHO SEE THE GAP IN THE CURRENT LEGISLATION AND THE NEED ΤΟ IMPROVE THE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME,

"I HAVE NO DOUBT THE ENACTMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION WILL HELP POLICE MORALE, HE SAID.

IMPORTANT

REFERRING TO MEMBERS' CONCERNS ABOUT REPORT PROCEDURES AND PROTECTION OF WITNESSES, HE SAID THESE WERE CONSIDERATIONS AND WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE SECURITY BRANCH, THE PC ICE AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.

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COMMUNITY HOLDS DIFFERENT VIEWS AND APPROACHES TO UNATTENDED CHILDREN

COMMUNITY VIEWS ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE SHOULD BE LEGISLATION TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM BEING LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME ARE SHARPLY DIVIDED AND DIFFERENT APPROACHES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE CONSULTATION PROCESS.

SAID

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, THIS DURING AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON UNATTENDED CHILDREN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MRS WONG SAID SOME PEOPLE URGED THAT CHILD CARE PROVISION SHOULD BE STEPPED UP, WHILE OTHERS SUPPORTED MUTUAL HELP SERVICES CALLED FOR THE PROMOTION OF BYTTER EDUCATION FOR PARENTS.

AND

SINCE THE THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD BEGAN ON OCTOBER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD GIVEN 77 BRIEFINGS TO LOCAL GROUPS AND RECEIVED 15 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS, MRS WONG SAID.

"MORE SUBMISSIONS ARE EXPECTED TO COME IN THE NEXT TWO ΤΟ THREE WEEKS. AT THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, ALL VIEWS RECEIVED WILL BE ASSESSED AND THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE SOUGHT ON THE OPTION IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC REACTION, SHE SAID.

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THE SECRETARY SAID CHILD CARE WAS AND WOULD ALWAYS BE THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THE GOVERNMENT.

"THIS YEAR THE RECURRENT MONEY FOR NURSERY AND CRECHE SERVICES IS $119.6 MILLION. NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE BY $10.5 MILLION TO $130.1 MILLION FOR SUCH SERVICES, INCLUDING PROVISION FOR

1,400 ADDITIONAL DAY NURSERY PLACES.

"ADDITIONAL DAY NURSERY PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED EACH AND YEAR UNTIL THE DEMAND IS MET IN FULL, MRS WONG SAID.

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