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refers to smoking and talking over a mobile phone whilst on duty (especially by field staff).
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I don't have the exact information about this with me now. But I believe that our staff are not members of the disciplinary forces and neither smoking nor talking over a mobile phone constitutes an offence under the laws of Hong Kong. I don't think there are strict rules in this area, but I shall forward the relevant detailed information to Mr. Wu after the meeting.
MR. HENRY WU King-cheong (in Cantonese):—I am following up on this because I have recently received enquiries from some foreigners. They were surprised to find that some field staff (including USD staff such as Foreman II) are making calls while cleaning the streets. I don't think there is any need to make calls in such circumstances.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—This is only a statement, not a question. There is no need to give an answer.
The Hon. LI Wah-ming (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, about stepping up supervision. I would like to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee whether, as far as the duties of the Department's field staff are concerned, are there any items being investigated by the Audit Commission?
MR. SUEN Kai-cheong (in Cantonese):—I don't have the information with me right now. I shall forward it to Mr. Li Wah-ming after the meeting.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—According to the reply given by the Chairman of the Select Committee just now, our staff are not specifically forbidden to make calls with a mobile phone or smoke while they are performing outdoor duty. But I hope that the Chairman of the Select Committee will agree that as far as this is concerned, we should strictly enforce such restriction. May I ask the Chairman of the Select Committee whether disciplinary restriction will be imposed in this area in the near future (even though the Department's staff are not members of disciplinary forces), so that the staff will maintain a proper image whilst performing outdoor duty?
MR. SUEN Kai-cheong (in Cantonese):—I agree that the Department's field staff should provide good services to the public and build up a good image. But for the specific conduct quoted just now, including smoking and talking over a mobile phone, the levels involved have yet to be carefully determined. If Members consider that there is such a need, the Department may be requested to prepare an information paper for the Administration Select Committee's detailed discussion before a decision is made.
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