3
(Designate) was appointed in October 1981 and he is now
planning the establishment of a new Lands Department, which
is intended to be in operation by 1 April 1982.
B. Creation of a new City and New Territories Administration
The reorganisation involves :
6.
(a) the re-incorporation of the Information Branch
into the Home Affairs Branch. Home Affairs
Branch also takes over certain responsibilities
for Chinese Language and Traditional Affairs
from the Home Affairs Department as well as
responsibilities for environmental protection
from the Administration Branch;
(b) the combining of the Home Affairs Department
and the New Territories Administration into
the new City and New Territories Administration.
The first stage of this reorganisation took effect from
1 December 1981. Careful consideration is now being given
to the structure and staffing of the new City and New
Territories Administration, and a submission will be made
to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council in
February 1982, with a view to the proposals coming into
effect on 1 April 1982.
Standing Committee on Directorate Salaries and Conditions of Service (Ross Committee)
7.
The 8th overall Directorate review of the Ross
Committee will begin on 1 February 1982. Information papers
and other background material have been issued to Members,
and a tentative agenda for the first nine meetings has been
drawn up.
/P. 4