XN000022-1995-03-01 — Page 69

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(1)

(ii)

offering programmes to young persons which are more 'social work' oriented;

setting up integrated social work teams to provide comprehensive youth services to meet young people's needs; and

(iii) providing programmes with intensive social work input to school dropouts, students with low academic achievement, youth with unsteady employment pattern and unemployed youth.

The Social Welfare Department has provided funding support in 1994/95 for two additional outreaching social work teams and 47 additional school social workers to tackle youth problems. Funding has also been ear-marked for another 22 additional school social workers in 1995/96. The Department will also set up a team of specially trained social workers in October 1995 to provide intensive counselling and structured group programmes for young drug abusers. These all aim to provide more and better services to our young people.

Many Government departments and voluntary agencies also organise The community activities, involving young people's participation. Commission on Youth, chaired by the Hon Eric Li, has carried out a number of relevant studies (e.g. on Youth Participation in Community Activities) which should facilitate all concerned to understand the aspirations and needs of young people better, and in turn help to improve the quality of activities organised for them.

End/Wednesday, March 1, 1995

Licensing of travel agents

Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr T H Chau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday);

Question:

At present the Government does not take into account the performance of travel agents, such as whether there have been frequent complaints against them of providing services that do not accord with what is advertised, when considering their applications for licence renewal. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether: