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The Government does not conduct tests itself but keeps itself abreast of research conducted overseas on the effects of the use of tear gas. In the late 1970s, the Police Force replaced CN (@-chloroacetophenone) with CS smoke because the latter had been proven to be a much less toxic chemical agent. In addition, research so far has not been able to establish that tear smoke will cause prolonged or seriously harmful effect if it is used properly.

End

Telephone lines for elderly under CSSA Scheme

Following is a question by the Hon Law Chi-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

According to guidelines of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme, only those elderly people who live alone or are physically handicapped or have special needs are eligible for subsidy from the Social Welfare Department for the provision of telephone lines, whereas other elderly people have to apply for subsidy from certain welfare funds for such a purpose. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) how many of the elderly people in receipt of CSSA payments are living alone and how many are not;

(b) how many of the elderly people in each of the groups mentioned in (a) above receive subsidy from the Social Welfare Department for the provision of telephone lines and how many do not;

(c) what criteria are adopted by the Social Welfare Department for approving applications for subsidy for the provision of telephone lines made by those elderly people who are not living alone; and

(d) whether consideration has been given to allowing all elderly people in receipt of CSSA payments to be granted subsidy for the provision of telephone lines; if so, what is the outcome?