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"The aim is to provide information as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Procedures will be kept as simple as possible," he stressed.
He added that the code would be applied throughout the Government by the end of 1996, and consideration would be given thereafter to its application to non- Government public bodies.
Another subject that the Home Affairs Branch was actively engaged in was the co-ordination of the implementation of a licensing scheme to regulate the fire and building safety of bedspace apartments following the enactment of legislation in April 1994.
Upon full implementation of the licensing scheme in 1996, bedspace apartment lodgers will live in apartments that meet the safety and sanitation standards and are less crowded.
So far, 144 apartments have taken out certificates of exemption and upon expiry of the exemption period in December 1996, the Licensing Authority will ensure that all the licensing requirements have been complied with before a licence is issued.
"In addition to statutory control, the Government, concerned about the living conditions in these apartments, has been adopting administrative measures to assist the bedspace apartment lodgers in rehousing.
"Facilities such as compassionate rehousing by the Housing Department, institutional care arranged by the Social Welfare Department and places in Home Affairs Department singleton hostels are available to all bedspace apartment lodgers displaced owing to the implementation of the licensing scheme, including those displaced by closure of bedspace apartments," Mr Suen said.
Meanwhile, Mr Suen noted that the numbers of bedspace apartments and lodgers had fallen over the years. "This is indicative of a general improvement in the overall situation."
Concluding the review of the branch's work, Mr Suen said one significant development during the year was the re-organisation of the City and New Territories Administration into a policy branch and an executive department. This has helped to establish clear lines of responsibility for policy and executive functions and also resulted in more efficient deployment of staff resources.
End/Friday, January 20, 1995