3.17 Cost-effectiveness of the system for Crown rent collection in the New Territories and arrears. (Paragraphs 6.76-6.81 of P.A.C. Report No. 7). The Committee note that, after carrying out a preliminary review, the Director of Lands has concluded that despite the introduction in 1979 of a system of collecting small rents once every five years in arrears instead of annually, it is still not cost-effective to collect small Crown rents. Therefore, a working group has been set up within the Lands Department to conduct a thorough re-examination of the system for the collection of Crown rents in the New Territories.
3.18 The terms of reference of the working group are:
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to review critically the existing methods of collecting Crown rents, Crown land licence fees, and other types of charges involving only small amounts, to see if the revenue derived therefrom is commensurate with and justifies the efforts;
to make regular reports on progress to the Director of Lands and within 6 months from the commencement of the review, to make final recommendations to the Director for improving the collection methods and procedures with the object of achieving greater efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and economy in the use of manpower resources; and
to oversee the implementation of the recommendations by 1 April 1986.
3.19 Meanwhile, improvements to the existing system of revenue collection are being pursued through the com- puterization, as far as possible, of the issue of demand notes.
3.20 The Committee note that:
the possibility of extending the Crown Rent and Premium (Apportionment) Ordinance to those districts in the New Territories where District Land Registries are operated by the Registrar General's Department is still under consideration and that no firm proposal has yet been made; and
the Registrar General was scheduled to take over the Tuen Mun District Land Registry on 1 October 1985 and the remaining three registries by 1987-88.
3.21 Loss of prisoners' property etc. whilst in Police custody and disappearance of cash and valuables from Police safes. (Paragraphs 6.138-6.140 of P.A.C. Report No. 7). The Committee are pleased to note the progress which has been made in the implementation of the centralized property office scheme in police stations and that, based on the current fitting-out programme, it is anticipated that the scheme will be implemented in ten remaining police stations within. six to nine months.
3.22 The Committee note that the Commissioner of Police is still looking for a suitable tamper proof property envelope.
3.23 Absence of a policy on the provision of mechanical assistance in the movement of students around university campuses which would provide a ready reference for decision-making so as to ensure consistency of approach and that objectives are achieved at the minimum cost. (Paragraphs 6.160–6.167 of P.A.C. Report No. 7). A proposal for the provision of a pedestrian communication, by way of escalators, between the Hong Kong University Bonham Road entrance and the new buildings being provided as part of the University's redevelopment was the subject of public hearing by the Public Accounts Committee on 14 November 1984. The Committee expressed concern that public money should be used for the provision of escalators for the benefit of young and healthy students who should be capable of walking around the campus without the need of mechanical assistance. The Committee recommended that the escalator project should be deferred so that it could be the subject of a thorough review.
3.24 The University of Hong Kong completed its review of the project in July 1985 having given careful consideration to a number of alternative options. The Public Accounts Committee themselves visited the site and accepted that, in view of its unusual features and the need to move very large numbers of students, there was a case for the use of mechanical assistance for lifting students over part of the distance.
3.25 The Committee are pleased to note that a compromise scheme has been adopted by the University of Hong Kong at a substantially lower cost than the escalator scheme. The compromise scheme involves the construction of a concrete stairway from the Bonham Road entrance at a height of 50 metres to a height of 64.5 metres and of vertical elevators to travel the remaining distance up to a height of 81 metres. The capital cost of this scheme was estimated at $6.45 million as opposed to $11.9 million for the escalator scheme. There should thus be a saving to public funds of over $5.4 million.
3.26 The Committee have been informed by the Administration that the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council will be invited to approve a reduction in the scope of the University development project and a reduction in the approved commitment.
3.27 Commendations. The Committee wish to commend the University of Hong Kong for putting up the compromise scheme as described in paragraph 3.25 which has resulted in a saving to public funds of over $5.4 million.
3.28 With regard to paragraphs 6.6-6.13 of the Committee's Seventh Report, the Committee wish to commend the Commissioner of Customs and Excise for his efforts in improving both the internal and external lines of communication of his department.
3.29 With regard to paragraphs 6.82-6.90 of the Committee's Seventh Report, the Committee wish to commend the Director of Medical and Health Services for his efforts to clear the backlog of arrears of revenue in the form of outstanding patients accounts, and to improve the collection of inpatients charges, at the Queen Mary Hospital.
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