ENG-1965 — Page 179

9

Social Welfare

A VERY important milestone was reached in May 1965 when the Legislative Council approved a white paper entitled 'Aims and Policy for Social Welfare in Hong Kong'. The first version of the white paper was laid on the Council table in November 1964 by the Colonial Secretary, who then invited the views and comments of the public in general and of the voluntary social welfare agencies in particular. There was a widespread response to this invitation and comments were received from many leading public bodies and agencies. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service undertook the task of collating the views of its member organizations, which number over 70. The press reflected public concern for the develop- ment of social welfare work in Hong Kong and 11 leading news- papers and three periodicals commented editorially or in special articles on the white paper.

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All these comments were studied with care-particularly the specific amendments proposed by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, most of which were accepted by the government in a paper tabled before the debate. On 12th May, six unofficial members spoke on the white paper and on the following day three of the official members replied for the government, after which the revised white paper was adopted. On both days the public gallery was full to overflowing-a sign of the interest aroused in this important declaration of policy.

In his speech the Financial Secretary indicated that the govern- ment was prepared to devote serious study to the practicability of certain types of contributory social security schemes. The Colonial Secretary said that the Social Welfare Department, in consulta- tion with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, would formulate more detailed plans to implement the approved policy.

Another matter of considerable public interest during the year was the establishment of a Lotteries Fund, into which the net