Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, pledged to amend the assessment procedures of subsiding schemes for underprivileged individuals and families.

The pledge was made following a report released by the Commission of Audit which indicated deficiencies of the Social Welfare Bureau in handling subsidy applications.

Mr Tam has instructed the Bureau to systemise its assessment standard, and to make appropriate changes to subsidy verification methods and allocation mechanism in the following 60 days.

The Secretary stressed that public funds had to be used in the principles of law-biding, equal and just, under an effective administrative management.