TNAG-0735-FCO40-939-Policy-objective-for-the-developing-of-Hong-Kong-in-the-1980-1978 — Page 240

(66

GR 180

PRIORITY.

CYPHER CAT `A

FM HONG KONG 063955Z

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

HKK 013/4

INDEX

PA

No

TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 1175 OF 6 OCTOBER 1978.

+

Acron

See 30

FOR MURRAY FROM GOVERNOR.

MY TELNOS 1173 AND 1174.

THE GREEN PAPER ALSO RESMMENDED A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME OF INSURANCE AGAINST THE RISKS OF EXTENDED SICKNESS, DEATH AND RETIREMENT. THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF WIDE DEBATE AND ALSO OF TESTS OF PUBLIC OPINION, AND THE PUBLIC ACTUARY'S OFFICE

IN THE UK HAS BEEN CONSULTED. A GROUP OF EMPLOYERS HAS ALSO PUT

FORWARD A COUNTER-SCHEME TO COVER THE SAME RISKS. WHILE YOUR GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THAT THE NEED FOR THE COVERAGE EXISTS, IT HAS NOT YET REACHED A CONCLUSION ON WHAT THE BEST METHOD OF PROCEEDING

WOULD BE GIVEN THE WIDE MEASURE OF COVER FOR THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS ALREADY PROVIDED BY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND DISABILITY AND OLD AGE ALLOWANCES, AND BY STATUTORY BENEFITS UNDER LABOUR LEGISLATION. IT IS HOPED THAT PROPOSALS MAY BE PUT TO YOU DURING

THIS SESSION.

MACLEHOSE

FILES:

HK & GD (6) MR MURRAY

RESTRICTED

Page 240Page 241