Welfare chief Paul Tang Kwok-wai was offered a round of friendly handshakes from well-wishing legislators yesterday as he departed his post to head the Labour Department. However, the friendly gestures followed a fiery debate over the Social Welfare Department's refusal to increase disregarded earnings for CSSA recipients, capping it at HK$2,500. Mr Tang sat stern-faced throughout the two-hour harangue until legislator Chan Yuen-han wished him well in his new job. 'We know that you are going to jump into a big fire,' said Ms Chan, drawing a smile from Mr Tang.