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Question 5: Mr Patten I think you said that you were going to tell us the story about the Valentine card that your wife however we all very much aware of your appreciation of family life. At the end of the introduction of the Year of the Family the administration rejected the call by legislators for a family policy. However in 1991 in the social welfare white paper it is promised that the policy branches would be asked to look at the implication of their policy on the family. I wonder if

you would give guidance to the various areas so that in the formulation of policy it would consider the impact on families -----------

Governor: Both in previous incarnations as well as in this one, I have always found it difficult to describe a family policy without describing most of the sensible things that any decent government tries to do, and giving a sharp enough focus to family policy is I think always a difficulty.

You and I know that you're not just talking about things that have the word family in them, you are talking about some aspects of economic policy, for example, the economic policy that provides people with jobs rather than provides them with unemployment. You're talking about an education systems that gives youngsters the opportunity to develop their full potential, you are talking about a system of benefits which is more likely to hold the family together than splinter it, you are talking about welfare payments to enable people to live in independence and with dignity. You're also talking about advice services which help families to stay together and which help to care for those who are the victims of the breakdown of family life, whether you're talking about those who suffer from abuse, from violence in the home, whether you are talking about those who suffer and it is something which is much in the papers these days from the fact that the old man has another family somewhere else.

There is a whole range of issues which need to be brought together. But I'm certainly prepared to look again at the suggestion that you have made. But I repeat that I have always myself seen family policy as infusing the whole of government in a sensible public administration from, if you like, tax policy to benefit policy and I think that I would be loathe to try to ring fence family policy into a small number of areas.

Question 6: Sir, I am Peter Chan of the Rehabilitation Alliance, In view of the large population of disabled persons, and their rising aspiration is self evident, the 1992 Green Paper on rehabilitation has recognised the importance of participation of the disabled persons in concerned Government advisory body. However no concerted progress has been noted, so far only the Rehabilitation Development Co-ordinating Committee has had participation of disabled persons and their parents. Sir, would you inform us what measure the government has taken or will take to ensure direct participation of disabled persons and their parents in concerned policy making mechanism, for example, the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, Transport Advisory Committee, Education Admission and Hospital Authority. Thank you.