HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
that there are several holes in the footpaths which might victimize Urban Councillors and other members of the public. (Laughter)
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, are you aware that I recently made a complaint to the Department which was passed on to me by some friends that they found most of the staff sleeping in the park?
CHAIRMAN: To round out your information, I would say that I also went across there some months ago and had some difficulty initially in locating some of the staff, and when I had located them I spoke to them very firmly and as a result the Custodian paid a special visit to my office. They should be aware of the fact that they are supposed to be attending to their duty conscientiously.
(2) MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman advise this Council whether the short training courses for new Area Officers organized in the past by the Resettlement Department will be continued this year, and whether he considers that similar courses should be run for the benefit of officers in the Squatter Control Section?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
The short induction courses which were run last year for newly-recruited Area Officers have been discontinued during the present year as it is planned that their place should be taken by a comprehensive three-year training programme for new officers, which will cover all aspects of the department's work. Proposals for this training programme and for allied improved conditions of service have been under discussion with the Establishment Branch of the Colonial Secretariat for some time, and it is understood that a decision will shortly be made on this.
The 1964 induction courses were run by officers borrowed temporarily from various divisions of the department. This was not a satisfactory arrangement and a post of Resettlement Officer (Training) now exists and has been filled. However, this officer is fully engaged in the detailed planning of the proposed comprehensive training programme and it is not possible for him to do this and arrange short induction courses at the same time.
MR. LI:-Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner for Resettlement, through you, when the training programme is expected to start.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —Mr. Chairman, this as I have said, depends on the decision on the conditions of service and the training programme which is with the Colonial Secretariat at present, and as I have said the decision (in favour, I may say, of the proposals) is expected shortly. I do expect that possibly another two or three months' foundation work will be necessary before the new training programme will start.
MR. LI-Thank you.
(3) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
(a) What progress has your Department made in re-organizing the Amenities Section so as to be able to cope with increasing public demand for more recreational facilities? (b) What staff do you have and how are they employed? (c) How many local officers in this Section have been sent abroad for specialist training?
(d) Are you planning to start training classes here? If so, please give details?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
During the past few years many minor changes have been made in the organization of the Amenities Group to enable it to handle its ever-increasing work load more efficiently. The first major step has been the appointment of a Principal Amenities Officer with special experience in the fields of horticulture and park administration. This officer assumed duty at the beginning of July and is now devoting a large part of his time to the organization, staffing and equipment of the Amenities Group.
Regarding the second part of the question, the Amenities Group of the Urban Services Department has a total establishment of 1,248 posts made up as follows:-
Headquarters Staff 6 Car Parks Section 78 Beaches and Swimming Pools Section 303 Gardens Section 861 Total 1,248Page 115
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182
208
209
$82