PUBLIC ORDER
Assessment and enhanced targets in respect of factory registration and consignment inspections. The department met all its performance targets in 1996.
The department held quarterly meetings with its three customer liaison groups to review the general standard of services delivered to air cargo, sea cargo and dutiable commodities operators. By mid-1996, chairmen of all three groups were elected from the private sector. Several service improvements were implemented as a result of customers' recommendations.
The department formulated its own Human Resource Management Plan which is likely to result in further service improvement in the years ahead.
Independent Commission Against Corruption
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is independent of the civil service; its Commissioner is directly responsible to the Governor. It fights corruption through investigation, prevention and education, carried out through three functional departments: Operations, Corruption Prevention and Community Relations.
Operations
The Operations Department receives and investigates reports of suspected corruption. under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, election malpractices under the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Ordinance, and ICAC-related offences under the ICAC Ordinance.
Of the 3 108 reports alleging corruption (including election-related reports) received in 1996, 1 673 concerned the private sector, an increase of 1 per cent compared with 1995. Another 1 304 reports were made against civil servants, an increase of 4 per cent. There were 131 reports against employees of public bodies, compared with 109 in 1995. It appears that the rise in corruption reports during 1992–94 has continued to level off.
In 1996, 2 214 corruption reports contained sufficient information for investigation to commence. The department's caseload was 1 159 at the end of the year with 393 persons prosecuted, and 61 cautioned for minor offences.
Corruption Prevention
The Corruption Prevention Department makes recommendations to eliminate opportunities for corruption that may exist in the government and the public sector. On request, it also advises the private sector on corruption prevention techniques.
The department studies new procedures or policies, and monitors the implementation of previous studies. It also gives corruption prevention advice through consultation and participation in a variety of committees and working groups. In 1996, the department completed 102 assignment studies and advised 146 businesses.
The studies done in 1996 covered many areas, including law enforcement, licensing, the letting and administration of contracts, purchasing and tendering, and personnel administration. Much work was done in association with the Airport Authority, which is responsible for some of the world's biggest consultancies and construction contracts. The Corruption Prevention Department strongly advocates open and competitive tendering in the government and the public sector.
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