The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today that the Government is committed to achieving the targets and implementing fully the programmes set out in the 1995 White Paper on Rehabilitation.

Speaking during a tour of rehabilitation facilities in the East New Territories, Mr Tung noted that there are about 370,000 people with a disability in Hong Kong. With suitable rehabilitation and vocational training, many of them will be able to develop their potential and integrate into the community.

"In the 1997 Policy Address, the Government was committed to providing more residential and day service places for adults with a disability and additional pre-school places for disabled children. The Rehabus Service will also be strengthened.

"To increase vocational training opportunities for the disabled, a new skills centre will be constructed in Kowloon," he said.

Mr Tung said that the Government would conduct a comprehensive review of the supply and demand for different types of rehabilitation services next year before planning the overall development of the services over the next five years.

After visiting the workshop and hostel of the Spastics Association of Hong Kong at Wo Che Estate, Sha Tin and the Jessie and Thomas Tam Early Education and Training Centre and Tai Po Resource Centre, Mr Tung expressed his appreciation to voluntary organisations for providing diverse rehabilitation services for the disabled.

The Chief Executive also praised volunteers for organising activities in the districts which had helped to boost the self-confidence of people with a disability, and facilitated their integration into and acceptance by the community.

"To promote public acceptance of people with a disability, the Government will allocate $8 million in the next two years for public education programmes," he added.

Before concluding the visit, Mr Tung met with provisional district board members and community leaders of Sha Tin, Tai Po and Sai Kung districts to exchange views on local issues.

Accompanying the Chief Executive were the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau; Sha Tin District Officer, Ms Wong Mei-lin; Tai Po District Officer, Mr Frankie Lui, and Sai Kung District Officer, Mr Simon Yau.