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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1979

REASONS FOR CONGESTION IN IMMIGRATION OFFICES

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THE CAUSE OF CONGESTION IN IMMIGRATION OFFICES IS THE UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELL ING TO AND FROM HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO THE HON. WONG LAM, MR. DAVIES SAID THE INCREASE INCLUDED +TOURISTS AND THOSE COMING TO HONG KONG FROM VIETNAM, ALL OF WHOM REQUIRE EITHER PROCESSING OR SOME FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT.+

+THIS INCREASE WAS NOT FORESEEN AND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERE PRESSURE ON ACCOMMODATION AND STAFF AS A RESULT,+ MR. DAVIES POINTED OUT.

TO EASE THE PROBLEM, MR. DAVIES SAID, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN OR BEING TAKEN TO RELIEVE CONGESTION:

* ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION IS BEING PROVIDED IN FIVE BRANCH

OFFICES AS A MATTER OF URGENCY. A NEW OFFICE IN VICTORIA BARRACKS TO PROCESS ALL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA WILL BE OPENED IN MAY=

* 115 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE DEPARTMENT

SO FAR THIS YEAR=

* 70 CASUAL WORKERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO SUPPLEMENT

THE WORK FORCE=

* STAFF HAVE BEEN REDEPLOYED TO INCREASE COUNTER

FACILITIES, AND

* PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND STREAMLINED TO

SPEED UP THE WORK, BUT WITHOUT ANY LOWERING OF THE STANDARDS.

MR. DAVIES ALSO GAVE STATISTICS ON TRAVEL TO AND FROM HONG KONG AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS ISSUED FOR 1977, 1978 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1979.

/THEY ARE: