CO129-597-3 Estimates 1950 22-2-1949 - 3-11-1950 — Page 207

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provision made under Telecommunications is of a tentative nature, pending a final settlement with Cable & Wireless Limited regarding the terms on which they will provide telecommunication facilities for the Government.

Head 26. Prisons Department.

Estimate 1949-50.

Revised Estimate 1948-49. Approved Estimate 1948-49. Actual Expenditure 1947-48.

$3,934,617

3,000,000

3,517,566

2,514,370

In order to staff the new Prison Camp in

the New Territories, for which provision is made under Public Works Extraordinary the following increases in establishment are provided for one Chief Officer, two Principal Officers, four Prison Officers, six Principal Warders, and 120 Warders. A Wardress employed in the Female Prison Hospital at Lai Chi Kok has been regraded as a Nurse and two posts of Cooks and three posts of Coolies have been abolishod. As a result of these changes personal emoluments show an increase of $160,051.

Most of the increases totalling $202,000 under Other Charges can be attributed to the establishment of the new Prison Camp; $65,000 is required for stores and equipment, $60,000 for uniforms of staff, $60,000 for clothing for prisoners and $2,000 for arms and ammunition. The practice of providing gratuities and travelling expenses for prisoners who are encouraged to leave the Colony has been successful but provision this year was under-estimated and an extra $22,000 is required.

Under Special Expenditure $50,000 is required to replace vehicles and $5,000 is provided for the purchase of hand looms which will be used by female prisoners.

$417,051.

The total increase on the Head amounts to

Head 27. Public Debt.

Estimate 1949-50.

Revised Estimate 1948-49.

Approved Estimate 1948-49. Actual Expenditure 1947-48.

$5,486,841

4,000,000

5,512,441

1,862,285

Apart from reductions in the interest

payable on the 1934 and 1940 loans arising out of further redemptions, there are no other changes under this Head. Provision for $1,500,000 is again made for interest and redemption of possible further issues under the Rehabilitation Loan Ordinance 1947. Consequently expenditure has fallen by $25,600.

Head 28. Public Relations Office.

Estimate 1949-50.

Revised Estimate 1948-49. Approved Estimate 1948-49. Actual Expenditure 1947-48.

$160,988

60,000

78,464 56,023