MONDAY, MAY 26, 1980
CUSTOMERS SATISFIED WITH IMMIGRATION HOT LINE
******
THE EXTENDED TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES SERVICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, SET UP LAST DECEMBER, HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC.
THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES MADE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, AT 80 715, SHOWED A 30 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
+NOT ONLY ARE WE ABLE TO COPE WITH MORE ENQUIRIES, WE ARE ALSO GETTING MANY MORE SATISFIED CUSTOMERS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE DEPARTMENT EXTENDED THE SERVICE TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR TO COPE WITH GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ADVICE ON THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF SERVICE IT PROVIDED, WHETHER IT CONCERNS THE IMMIGRATION OR REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE OR THE BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRY.
+TEN TELEPHONE HOT LINES FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES AND REQUESTS WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE NEW OFFICE, GREATLY AUGMENTING THE FOUR LINES PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED.
+CALLERS ARE CONNECTED THROUGH ALMOST IMMEDIATELY NOW, EXCEPT DURING THE LUNCH HOUR WHEN HALF OF THE OFFICERS HAVE THEIR LUNCH BREAK, HE SAID. GENERALLY, THE BUSY HOURS ARE 10 AM TO 4 PM.
MOST OF THE CALLERS ARE GIVEN SATISFACTORY ANSWERS IMMEDIATELY.
+IT IS ENCOURAGING TO LEARN THAT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT LONG WAITING TIME FOR ANSWERS HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EXPANDED SERVICE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED,
HE REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
A +DI AL - A FORM+ SERVICE IS ALSO PROVIDED.
+THIS SERVICE IS CONVENIENT AND TIME-SAVING, ANYONE WHO WANTS TO OBTAIN ANY APPLICATION FORM CAN SIMPLY DIAL 5-434711 AND THE FORM WILL BE SENT TO HIM BY POST, HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED IN PERSON FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S COUNTER IN THE BASEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL.
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