§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Hong Kong social welfare department is going to spend on cash aid for the needy in the current year; and how this compares with the previous year.
§ Miss Joan LestorThe amount spent will depend on the actual demand for such assistance. HK$219 million has been provisionally earmarked for the current financial year. Total expenditure last year was HK$168 million.
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people will benefit from disability and infirmity allowances in Hong Kong in the current year; and how this compares with previous years.
§ Miss Joan LestorAbout 70,000. These allowances were introduced in April 1973; in the first year of operation the number of cases reached 42,540 and at the end of the second year 56,381.