Mainland preferred by elderly

Most elderly welfare recipients say they enjoy living on the mainland more than in Hong Kong, according to a survey by the Social Welfare Department.

Director Andrew Leung Kin-pong said most recipients found they had better purchasing power there.

Most of the 1,600 people studied were single.

In April 1997, the department relaxed its rules to allow elderly people to continue to receive welfare allowances if they moved to the mainland.

Mr Leung said the survey found most elderly people indicated medical treatment as their major worry because some mainland hospitals charged Hong Kong residents more for their services.

About 1,800 full-time child-care places would be created, Mr Leung said.