Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1970-1971 — Page 8

has been brought together which can provide the necessary platform for properly integrated planning in the future.

(e) Mr. F. H. MCCLUSKEY, Rehabilitation Adviser under the auspices of United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Organization. He conducted a six-week study evaluation in January and February 1971 on co-ordination between Government and voluntary agencies and advised on future priorities in the field of rehabilitation.

(f) Mr. Davies JONES, Senior Staff Tutor at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Mr. Davies JONES conducted a 6-week training programme in February and March 1971 for social workers, trainers and administrators and provided a much needed consultancy in residential child care.

2. During the year preparations were made to put the expanded Public Assistance Scheme on an operational basis. This, together with the other growing responsibilities of the Department, has necessitated a reorganization of the Department with specific responsibilities more clearly defined (See Appendix 3-4 and the chart at Appendix 25).

3. Actual departmental expenditure for the year increased to $23.2 million, an increase of $4 million (20%) over the previous financial year. As a corollary, the establishment (total number of posts in the Department) increased from 1,129 posts in the previous year to 1,428. Many of the new posts are at professional level and were filled to a large degree by the recruitment of trained social workers. In spite of the fact that both universities continue to produce qualified graduates in social work, demand continues to outstrip supply as the Department's commitments grow. (See Appendix 6).

4. The Social Welfare Advisory Committee continues to advise Government on financial subventions to voluntary welfare organiza- tions. Aid towards recurrent costs is obtained in this way, whilst capital expenditure for social welfare projects is obtained through the Lotteries Fund. Subventions increased from $11 million to $12.4 million (12.7%). Grants from the Lotteries Fund were made to 39 projects including a day nursery for the Cheung Chau Rural Committee; major renovations for the Po Leung Kuk and the equipping of a Home for the aged blind in Yuen Long established by Hong Kong Society for the Blind. Expenditure from the Fund amounted to $7.28 million. (See Appendix 23).

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