XN000022-1996-07-10 — Page 83

61-

Reply:

The number of divorce cases filed in the past three years is 8,626, 9,272 and 10,292 for 1993, 1994 and 1995 respectively. Statistics giving the breakdown by the country of origin of the women involved and the number of people under the age of 18 affected by parental separation are not available.

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) provides a wide range of services and assistance to divorcing couples and their families. Marriage counselling is recommended with the objective of saving the marriage and to ease the family distress caused by crises in marital relationships. Family caseworkers will also help divorcing couples understand the impact of separation or divorce on their children, and emphasise to them the need to make the family relationship work. SWD's Child Custody Services Unit also provides intensive casework service on child custody and guardianship matters arising from divorce cases. Other welfare services such as financial assistance, housing assistance, child care services, psychological counselling and other family support services will also be provided to couples and their children as appropriate. Referrals to the Legal Aid Department will also be made if divorcing couples are in need of legal assistance.

End

Employment visas issued to top five nationalities

Following is a question by the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Security, Mrs Carrie Yau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council of:

(a)

(b)

the number of work permits which have been issued to foreigners of different nationalities, and the number of applications for such permits which have been rejected, in each of the past three years; and

the breakdown of the foreigners who have been granted work permits by trade, type of work, age and pay, in each of the past three years?