XN000022-1981-04-18 — Page 2

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SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1981

MAJOR CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE APPROVED

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MAJOR CHANGES TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.

THE CHANGES WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE DEVELOPING REQUIREMENTS IN THE FIELD OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH AND PWD.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE RESTRUCTURING WOULD INVOLVE

* CREATION OF A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH-

* CREATION OF A TRANSPORT BRANCH-

* CREATION OF A LANDS DEPARTMENT-

* SPLITTING UP THE PWD INTO FIVE INDEPENDENT

DEPARTMENTS.

THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE NEW SECRETARIAT BRANCHES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT BRANCH WOULD LAPSE.

+IN VIEW OF THE PACE AND COMPLEXITY OF DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES INVOLVED, THE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO STRENGTHEN THE ORGANISATION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, PROGRAMMING AND CO-ORDINATION OF LAND AND TRANSPORT MATTERS,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE RESTRUCTURING EXERCISE WAS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THAT SOME OF THE PERSONNEL CHANGES WOULD REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES COMMISSION.

HE ADDED THAT BEFORE THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED, THE DETAILED ORGANISATIONAL AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT. IN CONCLUSION, HE SAID THE HEUNG YEE KUK WOULD AS USUAL BE FULLY CONSULTED ON ASPECTS OF LAND ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING THE NEW TERRITORIES.

HK PLAYS LEADING ROLE IN AVIATION

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HONG KONG IS PLAYING A LEADING ROLE IN CIVIL AVIATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE EFFICIENCY OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS GENERALLY ACCLAIMED BY AIRPORT OPERATORS OF THE REGION.

ENQUIRIES FROM AVIATION AUTHORITIES OVERSEAS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED ALL YEAR ROUND CONCERNING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF OPERATION OF HONG KONG AIRPORT INCLUDING AIRPORT ECONOMY AND CHARGES, TERMINAL AND APRON FACILITIES, PUBLIC AND FLIGHT INFORMATION SERVICES. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES AND OTHERS OF AVIATION INTERESTS.

/AIRPORT OPERATORS