B7
a branch dealing with the machinery of government and a branch dealing
with New Territories' affairs. Each branch, except the Administration
Branch, is headed by a secretary.
branch
The policy branches are based on
programme areas, as indicated by their titles: Economic Services,
Environment, Home Affairs, Information, Housing, Security, Social
Services, and Monetary Affairs. (The creation of a ninth policy
Education was announced in November 1980, but it will not
become operational until late 1981.) The two resource branches
Civil Service and Finance - deal with the government's personnel and
finances. A political adviser, seconded from the Foreign Office,
advises on the external political aspects of government policies.
9.
The administrative functions of the government are dis-
charged at present by 49 departments, most of which are organised on
a functional basis and have responsibilities covering all Hong Kong.
This form of organisation, rather than one based on authorities with
responsibilities for limited geographical areas, is considered to be
the most appropriate for this small, compact territory.
there is a necessary and growing regional element in the way in
which many departments are organised, and this is particularly
important in the extension of services to the new towns of the New
Territories.
However,
10.
The role of the Home Affairs Department is particularly
significant in the day-to-day business of the government, one of its
main functions being to monitor public opinion on current affairs,
to assess public response to proposed government policies and