TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 88

C.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL

XCC(77)65

N.B.

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No estimate has been made of the costs to Government which would result from the introduction of a sickness, injury and death benefit scheme.

The higher cost of old age supplement in 1978/79 reflects the phased expansion of old age allowance (see end of paragraph 39).

Timetable for implementation

38

As already explained, these proposals have emerged as the result of informal consultations. At the same time, there would clearly be presentational advantage in publishing a full account of the proposals for public information and comment, So if Honourable Members agree that the proposals in this memorandum should be included in a Green Paper on the extension of social welfare, it would be important to make it clear in the Green Paper that the Government recognised that the proposed sickness, injury and death benefit scheme raised wide issues of public int erest and that the final decision on whether to go ahead with it would depend on the public response to the Green Paper. It would also be important to make it clear that, if the scheme did go ahead, the Govern- ment intended to consult fully with those representing employers and employees on the operational details of the scheme, and modify them if it seemed desirable.

39

Subject to the response to the Green Paper, it is proposed that the general aim should be to complete the programme of development by the end of 1980. In detail, provided there are no unexpected operational or financial constraints, the timetable is expected to be:

October 1977

January 1978

April 1978

October 1978

April 1979

October 1979

December 1980

Apply simplified "test of

residence" in community care

allowance scheme.

Establish social security

appeal board.

Implement improvements in

public assistance scheme.

Ext end community care allowance scheme to those in institutional accommodation,

First stage of extending old age allowance to those aged 70-75 (those aged 73-74).

Second stage of extending old age

allowance to those aged 70-74 (those aged 70-72).

Introduction of incapacity allowance. Introduction of sickness, injury

and death benefit scheme.

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