TNAG-0522-FCO40-617-Discussions-with-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 104

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In the meantime he was more urgently interested in the Hong Kong employment situation and in whether able-bodied adults should be

made eligible for public assistance.

6.

Sir Murray MacLehose said that although industrial employment had fallen by 70,000 in the past year, many of those displaced were now in some other occupation, such as farming, hawking and various other forms of self employment. Government use of private trust funds was at present adequate to meet exceptional cases when able-bodied people did need public assistance. The Government had contingency plans in case the employment situation sharply deteriorated. First, some 10-15,000 could be employed on a daily basis on useful labour intensive projects; if the situation deteriorated still further, the Government would introduce emergency relief at 75% of the normal rates for those not currently eligible; and as a third step the Government would distribute emergency meals. The Government would be very reluctant to take the last step in view of the "soup kitchen" image it would create for Hong Kong overseas, but technically the operation would be easy to mount. In answer to a question from Lord Goronwy-Roberts he added that although the case-load in public assistance had increased by some 60% in the previous twelve months, most of the new recipients were old or infirm people who had previously been cared for by family and friends. There was great resistance in Hong Kong to the idea of providing public assistance to able-bodied people; and while the Government could introduce emergency relief there would be a widespread desire in the Colony for its abolition once economic conditions permitted.

7.

Both Lord Goronwy-Roberts and Mr Ennals accepted that these contingency plans were adequate although they hoped the Hong Kong Government would regard a comprehensive provident fund scheme as the long-term objective.

III APPOINTMENTS TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: QUESTION OF ELECTIONS

8.

In answer to a question from Lord Goronwy-Roberts, Sir Murray MacLehose said that although he too was anxious to broaden LegCo's membership it might not be possible to propose the first appointment of someone from one of the Mutual Aid Committees as early as 1976. Appointments from an MAC to LegCo would be a huge jump, comparable

/to direct

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