THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1984
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PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE - GOVERNMENT'S FRONT DESK
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THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE NETWORK OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT +FRONT DESK+.
LAST YEAR, THIS NETWORK HANDLED 4 194 031 ENQUIRIES AND DISTRIBUTED 6 224 435 FORMS AND PAMPHLETS, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 1 926 861 AND 2 970 987 IN 1979.
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+AND DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR 1 051 649 ENQUIRIES WERE HANDLED AND 1 576 082 FORMS AND PAMPHLETS DISTRIBUTED, A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE RECALLED THAT THE FIRST PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE (PESC) WAS SET UP AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN 1961. WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CITY DISTRICT OFFICES IN 1969, THE NUMBER OF CENTRES INCREASED TO 10.
+SINCE THEN, THE NETWORK HAS EXPANDED STEADILY IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC DEMAND, PARTICULARLY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID.
TODAY, THERE ARE 62 PESC'S THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CENTRES ANSWER ENQUIRIES ON A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS, INCLUDING SERVICES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THINGS ABOUT HONG KONG AND EVEN ISSUES OF A PERSONAL NATURE.
+WE HAVE MORE THAN 200 DIFFERENT TYPES OF GOVERNMENT FORMS AND PAMPHLETS AVAILABLE. AMONG THEM, THOSE ON GOVERNMENT JOB VACANCIES, HOME OWNERSHIP APPLICATION, PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICATION, THE COMMUNITY CHEST'S WALK FOR A MILLION AND PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS ARE IN THE GREATEST DEMAND, HE SAID.
ANOTHER POPULAR SERVICE IS STATUTORY DECLARATION FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES, ADMINISTERED BY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS OF OATH AT EACH CENTRE.
IN COOPERATION WITH THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LAW SOCIETY, THESE CENTRES ARRANGE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE RENT OFFICERS, WHO PROVIDE ADVICE ON TENANCY MATTERS, AND TO SEE THE DUTY LAWYERS FOR ADVICE ON LEGAL MATTERS.
+MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO OBTAIN THESE SERVICES CAN APPROACH ANY OF THE CENTRES WHERE OUR COUNTER STAFF WILL IDENTIFY THE NEEDS AND MAKE REFERRALS WHERE NECESSARY, HE SAID.
COMPLAINTS AND ADVICE CENTRES OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAVE BEEN SET UP IN NINE DISTRICT OFFICES TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE 'INTERESTS OF THE CONSUMERS. PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROFITEERING
AND SUGGESTIONS TO BEAT INFLATION COULD BE MADE IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE. HE SAID.
/DURING TYPHOON