TNAG-0788-FCO40-992-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 2

This memorandum seeks Members' views on those proposals contained in the Green Paper on Social Security Development (published in November 1977) which are recommended for implementation in April 1978, in the light of public response to the Green Paper.

Proposals for implementation in April 1978

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The Green Paper on Social Security Development suggested a phased programme of development, beginning with the following proposals for implementation in April 1978:

(a) payment of a long term supplement to those who have

to rely on public assistance (PA) for a long period;

(b) incentive to self-help, by disregarding the income

of those who are not expected to seek work as a condition of receiving assistance, up to a prescribed level;

(c) payment of an old age supplement to those aged 60

and over under the public assistance scheme, who are not already receiving a disability or old age allowance

(now renamed welfare allowance (*)

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(d) extension of the welfare allowance scheme to those

in residential institutional accommodation;

(e) establishment of a Social Security Appeal Board.

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Each of these proposals is discussed in the following paragraphs in the light of comments from the general public and the voluntary sector.

Long Term Supplement

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The Green Paper proposed that a monthly allowance equivalent to the basic PA scale rate of $200 should be paid to a family, and half this amount to a single person, who had been receiving public assistance for more than 18 months, in order to help replace household and durable goods. Although the concept of a long term supplement is supported, the Director of Social Welfare, on the unanimous advice of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, proposes that a lump sum payment on an annual basis would be more equitable and appropriate for the following

reasons:

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