MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1978
GOVERNMENT LABORATORY SEPARATED FROM MEDICAL
AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ********
THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, FORMERLY UNDER THE WING OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HAS BECOME INDEPENDENT FROM THIS MONTH.
IT IS NOW DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION.
COMMENTING ON THE CHANGE, DR. A.J. NUTTEN, THE GOVERNMENT CHEMIST SAID THE MOVE WAS TO KEEP PACE WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN SCIENTIFIC AND LABORATORY TECHNIQUES.
+ IT IS ALSO ADVANTAGEOUS TO BE SEPARATED FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WE PROVIDE DIFFERENT KINDS OF SERVICE. THE CHANGE ENABLES THE LABORATORY TO OPERATE MORE INDEPENDENTLY AND IS IN LINE WITH PRACTICE IN MANY COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES, + DR. NUTTEN POINTED OUT.
MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY IS PLANNING TO EXPAND IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH THE INCREASING WORKLOAD BROUGHT ABOUT BY A NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENTS.
DR. NUTTEN SAID AN ADDITIONAL 6,000 SQ. FT. OF AREA NEXT TO THE EXISTING PREMISES AT NORTH POINT WOULD BE READY FOR OCCUPATION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL WORKING AREA OF THE LABORATORY TO OVER 30,000 SQ. FT.
FUNDS HAVE ALSO BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE PURCHASE OF SOPHISTICATED SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, AND MORE SCHOOL LEAVERS WILL BE RECRUITED INTO THE SERVICE AS LABORATORY ASSISTANTS.
DR. NUTTEN POINTED OUT THAT THE PROSPECTS OF LABORATORY ASSISTANTS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES RELATED TO THEIR CAREER ARE VERY GOOD AS ONE IN FOUR IS SENT OVERSEAS FOR SPECIALISED TRAINING AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE.
+BESIDES A NUMBER OF CHEMISTS AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL ARE ALSO SENT ABROAD EACH YEAR FOR TRAINING, HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY PRESENTLY HAS 120 STAFF, OF WHICH A LARGE PERCENTAGE IS PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL AND ITS STRENGTH IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 150 DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY INCLUDE ADMINISTERING THE CHEMICAL CONTROL OF STANDARD OF FOOD FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC, ANALYSIS OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES AND DANGEROUS GOODS, SURVEY OF AND INVESTIGATION INTO ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS IN GENERAL, TESTING OF MATERIAL PURCHASED BY GOVERNMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS, EXAMINATION OF PAINTS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES FOR TOXIC METAL CONTENTS AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/ITS FORENSIC