TNAG-0608-FCO40-756-Planning-paper-on-progress-made-on-social-security-in-Hong-K-1977 — Page 164

1.4

W Doffy

Jalis

Mr Stewart, HKD

Lear

CONFIDENTIAL

Dim

19/4

HONG KONG:

2.

REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME

Thank you for your minute of 4 April.

15 LA.45/$ P/A Ө

As you know, the DHSS expert, Mr Heppell, will look into the point we put to him about the possibility of a contributory social security scheme. I think we must expect him to do this in spite of the objections described in paragraph 5 of your minute. There is also the point revealed in paragraph 55 of Professor Turner's interim study that three-quarters of those questioned in Dr Fosh's survey were prepared to accept income reductions for specified improvements including pensions.

3. There is one other point arising out of your minute, namely, that draft legislation on compensation for silicosis is not the only legislation in danger of falling behind our timetable. I have men- tioned other possibilities of slippage in my minute to Mr David of 24 March. We shall be keeping an eye on this.

P. R.5. Hunt

6 April 1977

HR G Hurst

Overseas Labour Adviser

CONFIDENTIAL