XN000022-1975-04-03 — Page 8

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THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 1975

MR. ROBERTS DESCRIBED AS A +GROSS EXAGGERATION+ ALLEGATIONS THAT THE POLICE FORCE WAS CORRUPT THROUGHOUT, AND SAID IT WAS +UNFAIR IN THE EXTREME TO THE THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS OF THE FORCE, WHO ARE DEVOTED, LOYAL AND HONEST MEN, DISCHARGING A DIFFICULT, UNCOMFORTABLE AND OFTEN DANGEROUS TASK WITH SKILL AND DETERMINATION.+

*THEY ARE AS ANXIOUS AS WE AND THE PUBLIC TO SEE A FORCE WHICH IS FREE FROM CORRUPTION AND IS THEREFORE A BETTER INSTRUMENT FOR DEALING WITH CRIME ...... THE FORCE NEEDS NOT ONLY PUBLIC SUPPORT BUT PUBLIC RESPECT IF IT IS TO BE FULLY EFFECTIVE.

ON THE QUESTION OF DETAILED EXPENDITURE ON THE COMMISSION, THE COLONIAL SECRETARY SAID THAT THE REASON FOR INCLUDING THE ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION AS A ONE LINE VOTE+ SUCH AS THE T.D.C. OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS TO UNDERLINE ITS INDEPENDENCE+.

IT WAS ALWAYS INTENDED THAT ITS ESTIMATES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH WOULD BE TABLED VERY SHORTLY.

MR. ROBERTS ALSO DISCLOSED THAT ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE FOR THE ESTIMATES OF THE COMMISSION TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE FUTURE IN THE SAME WAY AND AT THE SAME TIME AS THOSE +OTHER DODIES OF AN INDEPENDENT NATURE.+

HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT ALL REQUESTS FOR THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION WERE SCRUTINISED WITH THE SAME CARE AS REQUESTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND IT WAS THEREFORE UNLIKELY THAT THERE WAS ANY WASTAGE IN THE COMMISSION'S BUDGET.

HOWEVER, HE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT THE ROOTING OUT OF CORRUPTION IS A TASK WHICH WILL INEVITABLY INVOLVE US IN SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE, BUT +THIS MUST NOT DETER US FROM THIS TASK WHICH IS SO VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF OUR SOCIETY.+

DEALING WITH CIVIL SERVICE RECRUITMENT, MR. ROBERTS SAID THAT AFTER THE FIRST SUBMISSION OF DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES, THE FINANCE BRANCH PERFORMED ITS TRADITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF TRIMMING FROM THEM ANY INESSENTIAL ITEMS AND ACHIEVING ECONOMIES AND COST REDUCTIONS.

WHEN THIS PROCESS HAD BEEN COMPLETED THERE REMAINED A VERY HEAVY EXCESS IN DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES OVER THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE SPENT.

HE SAID IT WAS THE COLONIAL SECRETARY'S COMMITTEE WHICH UNDERTOOK THE TASK OF DECIDING HOW THE GAP BETWEEN DEPARTMENTAL BIDS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES WAS TO BE CLOED AND WHICH ITEMS AND PROJECTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REDUCED OR DEFERRED TO ACHIEVE THIS.

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