4.
nowever, although it is not considered that there is any case for pensions as of right to be paid to all POWS, the Government and the community as a whole have always recognised a special debt to those who served Hong Kong loyally during the war, including the POWs. The Hong Kong War Memorial Fund was established to ensure that all who were incapacitated and in need should be adequately provided for. The Fund has an independent committee comprising leading citizens appointed by the Governor who themselves experienced war time suffering or have knowledge of our war victims. The Government has full confidence that this Committee is, and will continue to be, generous in their determination of grants and allowances payable to POWS and other eligible beneficiaries.
The Government
has, of course, guaranteed that the War Memorial Fund Committee will always have the means to pay such grants and allowances.
5. As at 1st October 1982 the assets of the Fund stood at just under $19 million.
Its estimated annual income
On the basis of
is about $2 million and annual outlay, at current rates, is of the order of $3.6 million. these figures, it will be some years before the Fund will need to call on the Government's guarantee.
6. Sir, apart from the main conclusions reached by the officer assigned to this task, a number of points of detail also emerged which the Government will bring to the attention of the War Memorial Fund Committee for their further consideration.
In addition, it was noted that
no formal appeals procedure existed under the Volunteer and Naval Volunteer Pensions Ordinance. Your Excellency
has decided that you will consider petitions in individual cases, and you will seek the advice of Executive Council where appropriate.
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