WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1982
13
+STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION+
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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO STREAMLINE THE DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES AND AWARDS OF THE POLICE FORCE WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL DURING ITS SECOND READING DEBATE, MR T.S. LO SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL WAS CERTAINLY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
MR LO, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP, SAID: IN MAY 1980 THE UMELCO POLICE GROUP RECOMMENDED TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AMONGST OTHER THINGS THAT A MEANS SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR ENFORCING THE RETIREMENT OF OFFICERS ADJUDGED MANIFESTLY UNFIT TO SERVE IN THE POLICE.
+ IF AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL, THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS ARE MADE TO THE DISCIPLINE REGULATION, IT WOULD BE TRUE TO SAY THAT FROM A PRACTICAL VIEWPOINT MEANS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO ENFORCE THE RETIREMENT OF INSPECTORS AND JUNIOR RANKS ADJUDGED MANIFESTLY UNFIT.
+THIS STILL LEAVES THE POSITION OF GAZETTED OFFICERS UNCHANGED AND UNSATISFACTORY, MR LO ADDED.
IN REPLY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, POINTED OUT THAT GAZETTED OFFICERS ARE SUBJECT TO COLONIAL REGULATIONS.
+THESE REGULATIONS ALREADY PROVIDE BOTH FOR THE COMPULSORY RETIREMENT OF A GAZETTED OFFICER FOLLOWING SPECIFIC ACTS OF MISCONDUCT AND, WHERE THE PUBLIC INTEREST SO REQUIRES, FOR THE RETIREMENT OF A GAZETTED OFFICER WITHOUT THE NECESSITY FOR A FORMAL DISCIPLINARY HEARING, HE SAID.
PHASING IN OF NT GENERAL RATE
:
* * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE GENERAL RATE PERCENTAGE CHARGES FOR THE RATING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HENRY CHING SAID, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED POLICY, THE FULL GENERAL RATE CHARGE FOR EACH RATING AREA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS 11 PER CENT AND PHASED IN OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
IN THE FIRST YEAR OF ASSESSMENT THE ACTUAL CHARGE APPLIED WAS 50 PER CENT OF THE FULL CHARGE, IN THE SECOND 60 PER CENT, IN THE THIRD 70 PER CENT, AND SO ON UNTIL THE FULL CHARGE WAS APPLIED IN THE SIXTH YEAR, HE SAID.
THE FULL