CO129-623-9 Estimates of Expenditure- includes a report for the year ending March 1952 1-2-1951 - 30-11-1951 — Page 136

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The Civil Defence Planning Office was set up early

in 1950 and has since been staffed and financed from the votes of various departments. It was considered desirable in 1951/52 to show the expenditure on this office under a separate Head and provision of $70,909 is made for personal emoluments and recurrent expenditure.

Head 11. Fire Brigade.

Estimate 1951/52.

Revised Estimate 1950/51. Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expenditure 1949/50.

32,419,586

1,317,576

1,382,027 1,115,202

The only changes in the establishment, apart from promotions and transfers of members of the General Clerical Service, concern the replacement of a Storekeeper Class I by a temporary Storekeeper and the transfer of a Coxswain Class II and Engineer Class IV from the Marine Department in order to man a small fire float now stationed at Aberdeen. Personal emoluments show a small increase of $11,487.

Economies in stores and equipment and uniforms result in reductions of $33,000 and $17,000 respectively. Part of these savings are absorbed by an additional $10,000 for the upkeep of vehicles consequent on the arrival of now appliances during the year, $4,000 for the upkeep of the fire alarm system which is still in the process of installation, and $1,000 for fuel, light and power as a result of increased consumption. A new sub-head for the recently formod Auxiliary Fire Service is included for the first time and provision of $5,000 is made. The net reduction in recurrent expenditure is $30,000.

During 1950, it was decided to order new fire fighting appliances and equipment at a cost of $685,000 and $344,000 rospectively. It has been necessary to re-vote these supplementary provisions because of the delays in fulfilling the indents. It has also been necessary to re-vote the provision of 177,280 made last year for a turntable ladċer which is now expected to be delivered in the course of the year. The requirements for radio equipmont have been re-examined and provision of $60,572 is now required to cover the items needed compared with the original figure of $25,000 estimated for 1950/51. It has also been necessary to replace some of the ordinary departmental motor transport at a cost of $31,500. Special Expenditure, as a result of these new and expensive items, is 1,056,072 higher.

Total expenditure on the Fire Brigade is $2,419,586,

compared with $1,382,027 in 1950/51.

Head 12. Hong Kong Defence Force.

A. Hong Kong Regiment.

Estimate 1951/52.

Revised Estimate 1950/51. Approved Estimate 1950/51. Actual Expenditure 1949/50.

$1,234,507

1,049,316

753.307

3,739,285

One post of Staff Officer was created during the

year to fill an appointment which it was originally intended should be held by a seconded Regular Officer. The only other establishment change is the promotion of a temporary Clerk to a vacancy in the General Clerical Service.