TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 10

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COVERING CONFIDENTIAL

See (86

85

Department of Health and Social Security 10 John Adam Street London WC2N 6HD

DHSS

Telex 22843/44

Direct line 01-217 5192 Switchboard 01-217 3000

RJT McLaren Esq

Hong Kong and General Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office LONDON SW1

HKK 234/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY RO. 51

2 4 NOV 1978

REGUTRY

DESK OF ICER

INDEX

PA

ction Ten

Your reference

Our reference

ate

16 November 1978

Dear

Rotom

по

So C2

HONG KONG: CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS, INJURY AND DEATH BENEFIT SCHEME

As discussed, I attach a note on this in a form which could be passed on to the Governor if you so wished. But this is, of course, a matter for you.

The note deliberately does not refer to the Governor's letter as such, though it will naturally be obvious to those who have seen the letter that it has been written in the light of the letter. The principal message of the note is that while the reservations the Hong Kong Government have about the Green Paper proposals are fully accepted, nonetheless it would in my view be premature at this stage to rule out the possibility of a contributory scheme in one form or another. There is, moreover, no need to come to a decision one way or another - straightaway, since a programme of other improvements in social security is being implemented so that the Government cannot be reasonably accused of sitting on its hands. As a means of exploring the pros and cons further, and to indicate to the people of Hong Kong (and to the United Kingdom) that the possibility of a contributory scheme is not being too readily dismissed, it is therefore proposed that a further Green Paper on the issue is published.

A

If it is decided to go for a Green Paper, I should be very ready if of course this is desired - to play as large a part as is practicable in its preparation. I should add, though, that if so my contribution would perforce have to be made more from here than in Hong Kong. This is because I move up to take over this Division at the end of the year. While shortish trips like yours-to Hong Kong are not ruled out, longer assignments would naturally be more difficult to contemplate. My Department here has been very cooperative about releasing me in the past: but there are naturally limits!

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