TNAG-1729-FCO40-2442-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 108

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Social Welfare

14.

I turn now to social welfare matters. The needs

of the elderly figured prominently in the speeches of a

number of Members and I agree that this is an area of

major importance in the social welfare field. We have of

course recently made a number of major improvements to

social security benefits for the elderly which you, Sir,

announced at the beginning of this session. This package

of improvements included increasing the rates of Old Age

Allowance for those over 70 as from 1 April 1988 and

extending the allowance on a phased basis to the 65-69 age

group; this will begin this September.

9/se

85.

Mrs. Pauline Ng asked for the speedy provision

of more care-and-attention homes for the elderly. This

need is fully recognised and we are making every effort to

meet the projected demand. In addition to purpose built

homes, homes for the aged with care-and-attention places

will also be provided in new public housing estates.

7/sc.

76.

Dr. Daniel Tse referred not only to the need

for more services for the elderly, but also to the general

attitude of society towards the aged. Both Government and

the voluntary agencies have put considerable effort into

programmes such as community care and family life

education which are intended to promote respect for