TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 89

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CONFIDENTIAL **

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The introduction of the sickness, injury and death benefit scheme requires more time because of the need for full consultation and for the passage of enabling legislation. The extension of old age allowances has been split into stages, so that it is a more manageable operation. The impact of a new scheme may be considerably impaired if it cannot be put into effect with reasonable speed and efficiency. The extension of old age allowances to those between 70 and 75 could be achieved in one. stage: but the result would be a damaging delay in putting many allowances into prompt payment. Two stages would therefore be more satisfactory. In the interim period those eligible for public assistance would receive an old age supplement.

40

The timetable set out in paragraph 39 represents the Government's initial view on timing. Honourable Members will wish to consider the proposed timing again when they have before them a memorandum summarising the programmes of development on social security, rehabili- tation, services for the elderly and preventive social work services. It is intended to circulate this memorandum to Council within the next

month.

Conclusions

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Subject to acceptance of the financial implications by the Finance Committee of Legislative Council, Honourable Members will be asked to advise on:

(a) the proposed improvements to the public assistance

scheme (supplementary allowances for long term cases and disregard of earnings of those not required to seek work);

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

the establishment of a social security appeal board;

the extension of the community care allowance scheme to those aged between 70 and 74; and to those incapable of working;

the publication of proposals for a sickness, injury and death benefit scheme in order that the acceptability and feasibility of such a scheme may be determined; and

whether the proposals in (a) to (d) above should be published in November 1977 in a Green Paper on the programme of social security development,

(The Secretary for Social Services (Mr E.P. HO), the Director of Social Welfare (Acting) (Mr J. W. SWEETMAN) and Social Welfare Adviser (Mr T.S. HEPPELL) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).

19th August 1977

(CR 11/CONFIDENTIAL CHAMBER