FIFTY-TWO legislators have signed a letter asking the Government to carry out the new Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme three months ahead of schedule.
The scheme, announced in the Governor's policy speech last October, will bring an increase of 15 per cent in basic assistance when it is implemented on July 1.
The letter, which has been submitted to the Governor, Mr Chris Patten, asked the Government to stop using technical difficulties as an excuse to delay the implementation.
''As both the Government and the community agree that the present level of public assistance is relatively low and needs improvement, we believe the implementation of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme should be brought forward to April 1,'' the letter said.
''If necessary, the administration may credit the payment for April to June to the recipients once the system is operational in July,'' it said.
