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responsibilities.
# PROGRESS AND PLANNING SUB-DIVISION
8.11
This Sub-Division is generally responsible for the co-ordination of the activities of all workshops with special regard to control systems, repair costs and standards, manpower and workshop space utilisation and records. For the efficient conduct of these responsibilities it comprises five sections.
### Progress, Planning and Co-ordination Section
8.12 This Section is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of both major workshops, their detachments and the Military Works Sub-Division with regard to job control systems, overhaul programmes, the control of spare parts, cost effectiveness of repair operations including repair standards, manpower utilisation and work evaluation, utilisation of workshop space and machinery, standardisation of working procedures, maintenance records and the vetting, processing and allocating to workshops of all new work required by other Departments and Offices of the Public Works Department.
8.13
Based on additional information obtained from manufacturers of vehicle brake components the time interval between periodic brake overhauls was re-assessed and further extended. For cars and light vehicles including Ford Transits and Landrovers but excluding Ford Transit Ambulances the period was increased to every 3 years or 40,000 miles and for medium and heavy vehicles including Ford Transit Ambulances to every 2 years or 40,000 miles whichever is the sooner. As a check on reliability, braking systems were subject to detailed checks, adjustment and repairs during scheduled and unscheduled visits to workshops. Brake tests are scheduled to be carried out at 18-monthly, 12-monthly or 20,000 miles periods. A study of the various materials used in vehicle hydraulic brake systems showed that over the complete life of a vehicle it would be more economical to replace brake tubes of mild steel by non-corrosive cupro-nickel tubes. However, due to lack of funds, no active tests could be carried out during the year.
8.14
The high cost and poor availability of some vehicle spare parts justified a programme of cannibalisation of such parts from vehicles which were due to be disposed of by Board of Survey. Discounting the savings obtained from the recovery of a large volume of small items, in terms of major assemblies alone approximately $90,000 was saved, during the year, on funds previously budgeted for the replacement of engines in the spare-engine bank.
8.15 A feasibility study on the proposed use of dismountable bodies on laundry vans was completed but the adoption of the proposal could not be recommended due to the high capital costs involved in the purchase of specialised vehicles and the structural modifications which would have been required on the existing loading and unloading bays in both laundries and hospitals. A survey of maintenance facilities in Urban Services Department garages was also completed. This survey
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