BACKGROUND NOTE
SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY IN HONG KONG
1.
The suggested reply gives figures for expenditure both on social services generally, and on just social security and welfare, since it is not entirely clear that Mr Clarke intended his question to be interpreted so narrowly. The figures for Social Services include education, medical and health, housing and labour as well as social security and welfare.
2.
In 1973 the Hong KongGovernment published a White Paper which laid down a five year plan for Social Welfare Development in Hong Kong. Over the five years between 1973 and 1978 the following improvements have taken place in the fields of Social
the Security and Social Welfare: payments under/Public Assistance Scheme have been regularly reviewed to keep pace with changes in the cost of living and the scheme has been extended to cover the able-bodied unemployed between the ages of 15 and 55; a disability and infirmity allowance scheme has been introduced and progressively extended; sickness allowance and severance payments were started. A building programme for Old Peoples' Homes, Youth Centres and Child Care Centres was begun and is still continuing. In 1977 further plans were made for the development of services to the disabled, the elderly and the young and those not already implemented are shortly to be drawn together in a comprehensive White Paper; contributory scheme of insurance against the risks of extended sickness, death and retirement is at present under consideration.
3.
a
During the same period, education has been expanded notably by the introduction of three years' compulsory and free secondary education for all children. An extensive programme for the development of tertiary education is now in the process of implementation. Improvements in medical services have included the building of two new major hospitals, with three others planned for the next five years, as well as the development of a comprehensive family health care service and the opening of a second medical school to ensure the training of sufficient doctors.
4.
In housing an ambitions programme was launched in 1973 to provide self-contained accommodation in a decent environment for all
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