TNAG-1363-FCO40-1809-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 146

Supplementary to question No. 8

in LegCo Meeting on 20.11.85

Mr. Hui-Yin-fat:- Sir, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service survey

showed that the projected employment situation for social work graduates

of 1986, that is next year, will be worse, with supply of over four

hundred graduates outstripping demand of 200 vacancies by over 100 per cent.

Would Government consider to terminate its training scheme for general

degree holders implemented in 1983 as a temporary measure to resolve the

social work manpower shortage in order to maximise the use of available

resources? At the same time would Government review existing manning

ratio in various social services in order to absorb qualified people

into the workforce?

Secretary for Health and Welfare:- Sir, the scheme to recruit graduates

in subjects other than social work was introduced as Mr Hui said about

two years ago. It was always an intention that this should be a temporary

arrangement

and that it would be reviewed in the light of the manpower

situation at the time and I think I can give an assurance that this will

be done.

Mr. Szeto Wah:- Sir, can the Government inform this Council when the

change of the manning ratio of social workers in schools from 1:4000 to

1:2000 will be achieved?

Secretary for Health and Welfare:- Sir, I am afraid I can give no firm

assurance of when this will be achieved. As I said in the earlier answer

it depends both on the manpower situation, which Mr. Hui assures us is

improving, and on the financial situation.