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(ii)
problem is going to be to maintain it in subsequent years without making excessive demands on the building industry (see also
(vi) below).
Education: For the first time Junior secondary education became universal and free as from the September term. It will be compulsory up to Form III by 1980. After an immense amount of work and consultation a White Paper on post- Junior secondary education was published which lays down detailed plans for expansion of different types of facilities calculated to meet the differing needs of all age-groups by the mid-80s.
(iii) Social Security and Welfare:
For the past
two years the Government has been drawing up integrated plans for the phased expansion of services and payments to vulnerable groups. Arrangements for the handicapped have already been finalised in a White Paper. Prolonged discussion of Green Papers covering revision of Supplementary Payments (here called Public Assistance), care of and payment to the aged, and services for certain categories of youth has now ended. The recommendations are already being implemented, and the composite White Paper will be published shortly. These plans are intended to lay the basis for a complete system of Social Welfare arrangements suited to Hong Kong's needs.
(iv) Medical and Health Services: The expansion
programme is on schedule. In the course of the year approximately 1,000 hospital beds were added and 12 new clinics were opened.
(v) Drug Addiction: All the indicators show the
problem is being contained as a whole, that the numbers under voluntary or compulsory treatment or care are satisfactory, and that the number of young addicts is markedly falling. This improvement is not only due to the new methods and central coordination being applied, but is yet another indication of improved efficiency in the Police and Customs and reduced corruption in the Public Service.
(vi) Public Works, including the Mass Transit Railway,
continued at an exceptionally high level. Tunnels,
/ roads,
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