TNAG-0608-FCO40-756-Planning-paper-on-progress-made-on-social-security-in-Hong-K-1977 — Page 32

Mr Hurst

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 932.

2 - NOV 1977

NC. 51

No

of

HONG KONG: SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE PROGRAMME

1.

During the recent visit to London of the Governor of Hong Kong, the Governor agreed that the time-scale for the introduction of the new contributory sickness, injury and death benefit scheme was too long and that he would try to shorten it. During my recent visit to Hong Kong I discussed this question with Mr Thomas Lee, the Director of Social Welfare, and with Mr Heppell, the Department of Health and Social Security expert presently seconded to Hong Kong. When I suggested that their proposed time-table was rather overlons and told them of the importance we attached to as rapid an introduc- tion as possible I was told that they would try but they did not hold out any hopes of being able to shorten the period needed. They maintained that the consultative and legislative process was such that they felt that 3 years was the minimum time necessary. In detail they said that there was at the moment no system of employment cards for employees and that it would take time to introduce the printing and distribution of cards. They had received over 100 separate representations from employers' and employees' interests and the "adequate consultation" promised by the Governor in his speech was bound to take them well into 1978. All these Objections were confirmed by Mr Heppell.

Non-Means Test Social Security Programme

2. I emphasized the importance that we attached to this proposal and asked them what plans they had for the implementation of such a scheme. They confirmed that their planning included in the current 5-year Development Plan was for the eventual introduction of a scheme but further reiterated the practical difficulties which they had outlined in relation to the contributory benefit scheme and, in addition mentioned the problems and the need to recruit and train the necessary Civil Servants. They mentioned the local political difficulties and maintained that the tactics of the introduction of these new concepts to Hong Kong must be left to the Governor.

1 November 1977

cc:

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Murray

Mr Quantrill and

Will

ir Thompson (see file copy

Al

CONFIDENTI AL

JAB Stewart

Hong Kong & General Dept