CAP. 199]
[r. 5 cont.]
Rank of Commanding Officer.
Period of appointment.
Commanding Officer's responsibilities.
Appointment of instructors.
Hong Kong Defence Force.
Commander and the Commandant. Where special circumstances make it advisable or necessary, an officer of the Royal Navy, lent by the Admiralty, may be placed in command.
6. The Commanding Officer shall hold the rank equivalent to the rank of Commander, Royal Navy.
7. Appointment as Commanding Officer shall be made for a period of five years. The Governor, upon the recommendations of the Service Commander and the Commandant, may extend such period by two further years, but no Commanding Officer shall be permitted to retain his command beyond seven years in all, or beyond the age as laid down for his rank in regulation 16 hereof, whichever may first happen.
8. The Commanding Officer shall be responsible to the Commandant—
(a) for the maintenance of discipline, efficiency and proper system in his unit;
(b) for the preservation of the health of those under his command when called out or under training;
(c) for the supervision and control of all duties performed by those under his command;
(d) to account for public equipment and stores of whatever description appertaining to his unit;
(e) for the condition of the arms in his charge;
(f) for the proper supervision of the system, as prescribed by the Commandant, of accounting for stores, equipment, pay, records, etc.;
(g) to ensure that the account books, returns, etc., as prescribed by the Commandant, are used;
(h) for the correct receipts and issue of all supplies;
(i) for such other duties as the Commandant may impose from time to time.
9. (1) The Naval Force may have—
(a) as Officer Instructor, a Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Navy appointed by the Admiralty;
(b) such rating instructors as the Commanding Officer, in consultation with the Service Commander, shall consider necessary.
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