TNAG-0734-FCO40-938-Reports-of-Standing-Committee-on-the-Planning-Progress-of-Ho-1978 — Page 13

CONFIDENTIAL

1.5 On a), it would be difficult at this late stage to start demanding a non-contributory scheme (perticularly since the British social security scheme is contributory), although such a scheme

would do more to achieve the objective of fairer income distribution

in Hong Kong. To insist would simply jeopardize the whole scheme. The most we can reasonably ask for now is a significant Government contribution (preferably more than just meeting the administrative costs).

1.6 On b), there is no doubt that we should come up against stiff opposition from Hong Kong. Unemployment benefit is one of the things we hope to see added to the scheme once the foundation is laid:

it would be poor tactics to insist on it now. Govenor said a Agur 77 Mħniunemply ment kerfis might be added laves.

2.

LATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST KEETING

circulated

(Copy of the Minutes

2.1 Points to Raise

2.2

1) Standing Committee the Standing Committee on Hong Kong (our suggested new title) will continue to meet on the same basis as before i.e. 3 times a year;

ii) Secondment to FCO of Hong Kong Officer Mr Williamson, currently Administrative Secretary of Umelco, will arrive in mid-January to take up a 2 year appointment as Head of the Hong Kong Section.

Defensive Points

i) Composition of Legco and ExcO Mr Bembridge (of Swires) and Mr Newbigging (of Jardine Mattheson) have been appointed to Exco and Legco respectively. It was suggested at the last meeting that these appointments should be balanced by at least 2 others representing a wider background: the Governor tried to achieve this by the other new appointments that he made in ̈ August. They included a sociologist from the Hong Kong Chinese University and a social worker. The net effect of the changes was to do no more than leave the balance as it was before.

CONFIDENTI AT

/ii) Economic value