§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 538W what plans the Hong Kong Government have to introduce social welfare benefits in the following areas: unemployment, sickness, child allowances, rent rebate for low-paid workers, retirement pension and free travel for pensioners.
§ Mr. LuardCertain of these benefits are already available under the public assistance scheme, special needs allowances and existing labour legislation. Proposals for additional sickness and retirement benefits are under consideration. There are no plans to introduce child allowances or free travel for pensioners.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Hong Kong Government intend to introduce measures dealing with death benefit, disablement benefit, supplementary benefit, hardship allowance and house improvement grants.
§ Mr. LuardDeath, disablement and supplementary benefits and hardship allowances are already partially covered by the public assistance scheme and special needs allowances and by statutory benefits under labour legislation. Proposals to improve benefits for the partially disabled and to provide additional injury and death benefits are under consideration. There are no plans to introduce house improvement grants.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances an individual or a family can apply to the Hong Kong Government for either regular or one-off cash benefits for all situations of need, other than applications for accident, property compensation or legal aid.
§ Mr. LuardApplication can be made for cash assistance under the public assistance scheme whenever individual or family income falls below specified levels; or when hardship arises following natural disaster, or criminal or law enforcement action. Additional cash benefits can be claimed by the elderly, the disabled, those who have relied on public assistance for more than 12 months and by certain other people with special needs.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report for each 539W year since 1974 the monthly average industrial wage for men and women, the average monthly wage for all workers, the average joint family income and the retail price index in Hong Kong for those years taking 1974 as base 100
§ Mr. LuardMy right hon. Friend has asked the Hong Kong Government to compile this information and will arrange for it to be published in theOfficial Report as soon as it is available.