Secretary for Education Michael Suen hopes subsidies for Internet access charges can be given to eligible families with children studying in primary or secondary schools from September.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Mr Suen said families receiving social security do not need to make separate applications and can get the subsidy through the existing welfare mechanism.

Families with children studying in primary or secondary schools who are eligible for student financial assistance should submit applications through the offices which now  handle their cases.

To narrow the digital divide in the long run, the Government is making preparations for a non-profit-making organisation to collaborate with private service providers and community organisations to provide economical Internet services and computer hardware to low-income families in need. A company will be set up in a year's time for this purpose.

In response to the result of the Narcotics Division survey on youth drug problems, Mr Suen said he was shocked by the alarming figures.

His bureau will study the problem to formulate appropriate measures to tackle the issue.