WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1979
15
BILL SEEKS INCLUSION OF POLICE SERGEANTS
IN SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL WORK
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON, MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1979 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL SEEKS TO INCLUDE POLICE SERGEANTS AMONG THE AUTHORISED OFFICERS+ DEFINED IN SECTION 2 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF PORTS AND OF VESSELS IN HONG KONG WATERS.
THE NEED FOR THIS AMENDMENT AROSE FROM A PROPOSAL BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE THAT, WITH THE PRESENT DEMAND ON MARINE POLICE RESOURCES. THERE IS A NEED TO USE SERGEANTS TO COMMAND LAUNCHES FROM TIME TO TÍME FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING THE PROVISIONS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
CDO'S CO-ORDINATION EXPLAINED ****
THE CITY DISTRICT OFFICERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING TO CO-ORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE DECENTRALISED WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS OF THE 10 CITY DISTRICT OFFICES FOR THEIR REGIONAL OPERATIONS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. JOHN WALDEN, IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG.
THE CDO'S, HOWEVER, ARE NOT AT PRESENT VESTED WITH EXECUTIVE CO-ORDINATING POWERS EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF OPERATIONS. CO-ORDINATION IS DONE IN AN INFORMAL WAY.
MR. WALDEN ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT CO-ORDINATION IN THE MANAGERIAL SENSE OF PLANNING, DIRECTING AND MONITORING THE OPERATIONS OF ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WORKING WITHIN THE REGION, BUT WITHIN ITS LIMITATIONS IT DID CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
THE
IT IS MAINLY DIRECTED TOWARDS SORTING OUT PROBLEM SITUATIONS THAT NEED CONCERTED GOVERNMENT ACTION BUT WHERE RESPONSIBILITY IS DIVIDED BETWEEN DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES,+ MR. WALDEN EXPLAINED.
+THEY ARE ALSO ABLE TO DO SOME CO-ORDINATING OF PROGRAMMES IN WHICH THE COMMUNITY TAKES AN ACTIVE PART SUCH AS FIGHTING CRIME, ROAD SAFETY, BUILDING CLEANLINESS AND RECREATION.*
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, POLICE, RECREATIONAL AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ÚSE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS OF THE 10 CDO'S FOR THEIR REGIONAL OPERATIONS,
BUT THERE WERE A GREAT NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CO-ORDINATING DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL IN THE URBAN AREAS TO ENSURE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS, MR. WALDEN POINTED OUT.
/HE EXPLAINED