Appendix 2: The Hong Kong Government and Social Security
Abbreviation of Chapter 27, “Summary of Suggestions”, (p. 219-223) of the Report by the Inter-Departmental Working Party to Consider Certain Aspects of Social Security, Hong Kong, 1967. Along with appropriate sections of the "State- ment by the Hon. Colonial Secretary made in the Legislative Council on 10th April 1968” on tabling the Report (p. 1-2), and some remarks taken from the body of the Report.
"It is almost certain that any proposals for the development of a social security programme for Hong Kong will be met in a number of quarters with strong representations on the grounds that Hong Kong cannot indulge in such a luxury. To this will almost certainly be added the argument that Hong Kong is different from anywhere else in the world." - "Report. " 1967, p. 97.
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so long as the opinion prevails that Hong Kong's economy is absolutely unique and that it can never conform in even a slight degree to the general pattern of economic development which has been shown to exhibit markedly common characteristics in the world as a whole, it is unlikely that any real change can take place.' Lady Gertrude Williams, Report on the Feasibility of a Survey into Social Welfare Provision and Allied Topics in Hong Kong (Hong Kong, Government Printer, 1966), p. 11, cited in "Report
» 1967, p. 98.
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"This is a useful report, on which we shall welcome the comments of Honourable Members and of the public, and it is already being studied by the departments concerned.
I must, however, sound a word of warning. Honourable Members will not, I think, imagine that all the suggestions in this report will, upon closer examin- ation, prove possible or capable of implementation, or indeed prove beneficial in the circumstances of Hong Kong. Some of them may well prove to be finan- cially impossible." - Statement by the Colonial Secretary, p. 1.
Recommendations
A.
-
achieved by 1974
not achieved by 1974
no information to hand as of April 1974
Improvements which may be made Immediately or Reasonably Soon.
NOTE: Italics added
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