Although the response from the public has fluctuated throughout the year, it has been enough to justify the continuation of the scheme.
Legislation
94. A working party convened by His Excellency the Governor to study revision of the Prevention of Corruption Ordinance, Cap. 215 sat on nine occasions during the year. The Head of the Anti-Corruption Branch was appointed a member under the Chairmanship of Crown Counsel. The working party has now finished its deliberations and a draft bill containing many new effective provisions to combat corruption is now before Government for consideration.
Re-organization
95. Detailed proposals for a Re-organization and Expansion of the Branch, which were prepared during the course of the year, have been submitted to Government. These proposals included a considerable in- crease of personnel and measures to provide more effective organiza- tion to combat corruption.
96. A disturbing development which arose during the year was the number of accused persons who absconded during prosecution by the Branch in Court or after having been invited to the Branch for questioning. Seven persons absconded in this manner and in one not- able case, a man wanted for questioning by the Branch sought refuge in Taiwan. In cases of this nature, little can be done by the Branch, except to obtain warrants of arrest where appropriate, and the instiga- tion of Colony wide searches, a process both wasteful of time and manpower.
Investigations
97. In addition to the receipt of 284 anonymous letters, investiga- tions were made into 429 allegations of corruption. There was a marked increase in the number of reports received in the last quarter of the year. Seven major investigations were carried out into carefully selected targets.
98. Many Government Departments were the subject of allegations of corruption, and as a result of Branch enquiries the Target Com- mittee on Corruption made recommendations to various Government Departments to help minimize the opportunities for corrupt practices.
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