XN000022-1976-12-08 — Page 19

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1976

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PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTING REGISTERED ITEMS

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ALL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR ADDRESSEES TO COLLECT REGISTERED LETTERS AND PARCELS IS TO PRODUCE NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE POST OFFICE AND THE IR IDENTITY CARDS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, HE ADDED THAT IN PLACE OF IDENTITY CARDS, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL WOULD ALSO ACCEPT PASSPORTS, GOVERNMENT PASSCARDS, DRIVING LICENCES OR FORCE'S PAYBOOKS.

+ IF ADDRESSEES SEND AGENTS TO COLLECT REGISTERED ITEMS ON THE IR BEHALF, THE AGENTS MUST PRODUCE THE SAME DOCUMENTS PLUS LETTERS OF AUTHORISATION AND THE AGENT'S OWN IDENTITY CARDS, HE ADDED.

MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THE PRESENT SYSTEM FOR THE COLLECTION OF REGISTERED POSTAL ITEMS APPEARED TO BE WELL UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC.

+I DO NOT SEE HOW IT MIGHT BE SIMPLIFIED WHILE STILL ALLOWING THE POSTMASTER GENERAL TO MEET HIS OBLIGATIONS TO THOSE WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY TO USE THE REGISTERED POST FOR THE EXTRA SECURITY THAT IT PROVIDES, HE SAID.

THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SPECIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS, HE CONTINUED, WAS THAT THROUGHOUT THE TIME A REGISTERED ITEM WAS IN THE POSTMASTER GENERAL'S CUSTODY, ITS TRANSFER AT ALL STAGES WAS ONLY DONE AGAINST SIGNATURE.

+SO AS THE FINAL STEP IN THE PROCESS, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL MUST REQUIRE PROOF OF IDENTITY FROM THOSE SEEKING TO COLLECT REGISTERED LETTERS AND PARCELS FROM POST OFFICES, HE SAID.

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