********************************************

The Government today (Friday) announced the appointment of four new members to serve on the Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC) with effect from June 1, 1998 until November 30, 1999.

The appointments were published in the gazette today.

"To further broaden representation on the SWAC, the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Darwin Chen, Mr Lee Chee-wah, Mr Poon Huen-wai, and Dr Leung Cho-bun to the Committee," a spokesman for the Health and Welfare Bureau said.

Mr Darwin Chen, currently Chief Executive of the Community Chest of Hong Kong, has extensive experience in public service. He is also the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

"His close involvement in subventing the activities of non-governmental-organisations will be of benefit to the Committee," the spokesman added.

Mr Lee Chee-wah, a solicitor by profession and a council member of the HK Federation of Youth Groups, is involved in the development of services for young people.

Mr Poon Huen-wai, a secondary school principal and member of the North Provisional District Board, is active in community affairs at the district level.

Dr Leung Cho-bun, Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong, is active in a wide variety of welfare services including Hong Kong Children and Youth Services and the Hong Kong Society for Community Organisation.

The Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, welcomed the appointment of the new members and said that she looked forward to their contributing to the development of welfare services in Hong Kong.

The full membership list of the new SWAC is as follows:

Chairman:

Mr Peter Wong Hong-yuen

Members:

Ms Virginia Chan Choi-ying

Mr Darwin Chen

Dr Philemon Choi Yuen-wan

Mr Michael Lai Kam-cheung

Mr Lam Hoi-ham

Dr Law Chi-kwong

Mr Lee Chee-wah, Wilfred

Dr Leung Cho-bun

Mr Stephen Ng Chi-wing

Mr Ng Shui-lai

Dr Ng Yau-yung

Mr Poon Huen-wai

Miss Elle Shum Mun-ling

Miss Deborah Wan Lai-yau

Dr Owen Wong Hong-hin

Mr Stephen Yau How-boa

Mr Peter Dicky Yip

End/Friday, June 26, 1998

NNNN