ENG-1972 — Page 147

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Social Welfare

An important milestone was reached in October 1972 when a draft White Paper was published, entitled 'Social Welfare in Hong Kong-the Way Ahead'. The White Paper was published in draft form to give a further opportunity to all those concerned with social welfare matters to express their views on the proposals before any final decision was taken. The White Paper and a Five Year Plan for social welfare development (to be announced at the same time as the final version of the White Paper) were the result of the joint efforts by the Social Welfare Department and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and represented a consensus of opinion achieved in partnership between the department and the voluntary sector on how social welfare in Hong Kong should develop during the 1970s. The proposals represent firm guidelines for development of the public and voluntary sectors, enabling both sides to make detailed forward plans in a way that was not possible previously.

The White Paper contained comprehensive proposals covering a balanced social security system, community development with emphasis on youth and the family, facilities for the disabled, aid to the elderly, rehabilitation of young offenders and probationers, welfare services for families with problems, and effective supporting services in training, planning, research and evaluation.

If the proposals are approved the total capital cost in the five-year period between 1973-8 will be approximately $50 million. The recurrent cost will rise from about $122 million a year in 1973 to $155 million in 1978. The total expenditure over the five years will be about $725 million, the major proportion of which will be borne by the government.

The Social Welfare Department is and will continue to be responsible for carrying out government policies for social welfare. It operates through the following divisions: the Group and Community Work Division which aims at the development of respon- sible citizenship; the Family Services Division which is responsible for a wide range of social welfare services to help individuals and families; the Probation and Correc- tions Division which provides probation services in the courts and rehabilitation in its correctional institutions for young offenders; a newly formed Rehabilitation Division which is concerned with services for the disabled; the Public Assistance Division which is responsible for the administration of the public assistance scheme; the Training Section which is responsible for in-service training and field work place- ment for university students; the Planning and Development Section which is respon- sible for planning and co-ordination of welfare services; the Research and Evaluation Unit which has responsibility for social welfare research, evaluation of services, and statistical matters; and the Public Relations Unit.