1 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -- 13 March 1991 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -- 13 March 1991 1 OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS Wednesday, 13 March 1991 The Council met at half-past Two o'clock PRESENT HIS HONOUR THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR (PRESIDENT) THE CHIEF SECRETARY THE HONOURABLE SIR DAVID ROBERT FORD, K.B.E., L.V.O., J.P. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HONOURABLE SIR PIERS JACOBS, K.B.E., J.P. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE HONOURABLE JEREMY FELL MATHEWS, C.M.G., J.P. THE HONOURABLE STEPHEN CHEONG KAM-CHUEN, C.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, C.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS SELINA CHOW LIANG SHUK-YEE, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MARIA TAM WAI-CHU, C.B.E., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE HENRIETTA IP MAN-HING, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHAN YING-LUN, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE PETER POON WING-CHEUNG, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHENG HON-KWAN, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHUNG PUI-LAM, J.P. THE HONOURABLE HO SAI-CHU, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE HUI YIN-FAT, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MARTIN LEE CHU-MING, Q.C., J.P. THE HONOURABLE DAVID LI KWOK-PO, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE NGAI SHIU-KIT, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE POON CHI-FAI, J.P. PROF. THE HONOURABLE POON CHUNG-KWONG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE SZETO WAH THE HONOURABLE TAI CHIN-WAH, J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS ROSANNA TAM WONG YICK-MING, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE TAM YIU-CHUNG DR THE HONOURABLE DANIEL TSE, C.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT, J.P. THE HONOURABLE LAU WONG-FAT, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE GRAHAM BARNES, C.B.E., J.P. SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL LEUNG MAN-KIN, J.P. SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT THE HONOURABLE EDWARD HO SING-TIN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI, J.P. THE HONOURABLE MARTIN GILBERT BARROW, O.B.E. THE HONOURABLE PAUL CHENG MING-FUN THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL CHENG TAK-KIN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE DAVID CHEUNG CHI-KONG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE RONALD CHOW MEI-TAK THE HONOURABLE MRS NELLIE FONG WONG KUT-MAN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS PEGGY LAM, M.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS MIRIAM LAU KIN-YEE THE HONOURABLE LAU WAH-SUM, O.B.E., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE LEONG CHE-HUNG THE HONOURABLE LEUNG WAI-TUNG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE JAMES DAVID McGREGOR, O.B.E., I.S.O., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING, J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS ELSIE TU, C.B.E. THE HONOURABLE PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE YEUNG KAI-YIN, J.P. SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER THE HONOURABLE PETER TSAO KWANG-YUNG, C.B.E., C.P.M., J.P. SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS THE HONOURABLE MRS ELIZABETH WONG CHIEN CHI-LIEN, I.S.O., J.P. SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE THE HONOURABLE ALISTAIR PETER ASPREY, O.B.E., A.E., J.P. SECRETARY FOR SECURITY THE HONOURABLE MRS ELIZABETH MARGARET BOSHER, J.P. SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES ABSENT THE HONOURABLE ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, C.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE PANG CHUN-HOI, M.B.E. THE HONOURABLE DANIEL LAM WAI-KEUNG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE KINGSLEY SIT HO-YIN THE HONOURABLE JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, J.P. IN ATTENDANCE THE CLERK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MR LAW KAM-SANG Oath Mrs Elizabeth Margaret BOSHER took the Oath of Allegiance. Papers The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Standing Order 14(2): Subject Subsidiary Legislation L.N. No. Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Motor Vehicles) (First Registration Tax) Order 1991.................... 80/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Fees Increase) (1991 Budget) Order 1991................................. 81/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Banking) Order 1991....................................................... 82/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Dutiable Commodities) Order 1991................... 83/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Air Passenger Departure Tax) Order 1991............................... 84/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Rating) Order 1991.......................................... 85/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Stamp Duty) Order 1991................................... 86/91 Civil Aviation (Aircraft Noise) Ordinance Civil Aviation (Aircraft Noise) (Limitation on Operation of Engines and Auxiliary Power Units) (Amendment) Regulations 1991............................................... 87/91 Dangerous Goods Ordinance Dangerous Goods (General) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1991................................... 88/91 Waterworks Ordinance Waterworks (Amendment) Regulations 1991............................................... 89/91 Securities and Futures Commission Ordinance Securities and Futures Commission (Corporate Finance Fees) (Amendment) Rules 1991........................................................ 90/91 Securities and Futures Commission Ordinance Securities and Futures Commission (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 1991................................... 91/91 Trustee Ordinance Trustee Ordinance (Amendment of First Schedule) Notice 1991....................................... 92/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Fees Increase) (1991 Budget) (Withdrawal) Order 1991............. 93/91 Public Revenue Protection Ordinance Public Revenue Protection (Fees Increase) (1991 Budget) (No. 2) Order 1991...................... 94/91 Sessional Papers 1990-91 No. 60 -- Director of Hospital Services 1989-1990 Departmental Report No. 61 -- Report on the Samaritan Fund and Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 1990 with Certificate of the Director of Audit No. 62 -- Revenue Estimates for the year ending 31 March 1992 White Paper White Paper on Social Welfare into the 1990's and beyond March 1991 Address by Member White Paper on Social Welfare into the 1990's and beyond March 1991 SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, laid on the table today is the White Paper on Social Welfare into the 1990's and Beyond. This White Paper sets out the Government's policies and strategies for the future development of social welfare services. It represents the culmination of a year's collaborative effort by a working party comprising mainly non-officials drawn from organizations and institutions involved in social welfare and other areas of the private sector. Great credit and gratitude is due to these persons for the creativity and hard work they have offered for the benefit of social welfare in Hong Kong. The working party sought public views at the beginning of its work in early 1990 and again on its draft report in September last year. During the second round of consultation, the working party received many helpful comments and suggestions through the district boards, seminars, written submissions and the debate in this Chamber. The use of this transparent drafting process has meant that the final White Paper has been able to respond, both in direction and substance, to many of the public desires and concerns for the development of social welfare services. The White Paper tabled today differs, therefore, in several respects from the working party's draft report issued in September last year. Comments about the vagueness of proposed future developments and the apparent lack of commitment to funding have been addressed by the inclusion of an implementation schedule giving planned targets and planning targets to be achieved. The need to clarify confusion over the possibilities of fee-charging has also been recognized through the undertaking to form a working party of Government and service agencies to study further how this concept might be developed. There was a strong call for the White Paper to address the consequences of an ageing population on the provision of services for the elderly. This is frequently linked to the subject of providing for financial security in old age through contributory schemes. Retirement provision for the elderly did not fall within the terms of reference of the working party or the scope of the White Paper. However, the Foreword to the White Paper does acknowledge the view that the issue of financial support for the elderly should continue to be examined by Government. This will be done. Not only will the existing schemes be kept under constant review but other related areas will be examined such as the development of a health insurance scheme suitable for Hong Kong. Comments were received on other issues falling outside the scope of the White Paper. One request concerned coverage of rehabilitation services in the White Paper. This will be met through the comprehensive Green Paper on Rehabilitation announced by you, Sir, in your October address. Work on the Green Paper has begun, and we should be able to be ready for public consultation later this year. The White Paper itself does not adopt a narrow focus, and a wide range of issues has been considered in its formulation and before establishing that the needs of families, children and youth at risk and the elderly must all carry high priority. The White Paper aims to promote the well-being of the elderly through services which will enable them to remain active and valued members of our community. Community support services in the form of home help, multi-service centres, day care and social centres for the elderly will be expanded. A high priority will be given to meeting the growing demand for residential care in the form of subvented care and attention homes and homes for the aged. In addition, properly regulated private and non-profit making homes will be encouraged to play their part. The White Paper looks upon the family as one of the most important elements of our society. Traditionally, it is through the family that young and old alike have been cared for and supported. With the increase in smaller families, this network of family support has become weaker at a time when the stresses and strains of our rapidly developing society have increased the pressures on all family members.