d)
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general objective of parity with the best comparable Asian standards, which of course we accept. So it is not correct to say that at this point in time the Hong Kong Government accepts 'extending unemployment benefits to industrial workers' (para. 26 13 lines from bottom). What we do accept is that a formula must be found to end the excusion of able- bodied males under 55 from eligibility for public assistance. Similarly if the last line of the paragraph is to be factually correct 'unemployed' should be deleted, and 'able-bodied' substituted.
Annex C para. 12, first line. It is probably only a drafting point but this statement of priorities is out of line with those correctly stated in para. 7 of the main paper. No person
in or out of Government in Hong Kong would accord a higher priority to the extension of social welfare benefits in cash or services to provision of personal security, housing, education or medical services. But all would agree that such benefits have a high priority. So I think
it would be more correct to say: Assuming the money is available the priorities are as stated in para. 7 of the main paper: of these H.M.G. attaches particular importance to expenditure in the field of social security".
5.
I am not prepared to go to the stake on these passages which do not after all affect the specifics. In particular I do not wish argument about them to obscure either the fact of complete agreement on a wide field of social advance over the next five or in some cases ten years, or our confidence here that we can deliver on it. Having made the points I therefore leave them to you.
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