XN000022-1983-02-23 — Page 20

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1983

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INCREASED EXPENDITURE FOR SECURITY SERVICES

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THE DRAFT ESTIMATES PROVIDE FOR TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $2 752 MILLION FOR LAW AND ORDER, COMPARED WITH A REVISED ESTIMATE OF $2 411 MILLION IN 1982-83, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THIS EXPENDITURE COVERS THE COSTS OF HONG KONG'S POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, TOGETHER WITH ALLIED LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND THOSE NEEDED FOR THE DETENTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.

THE LARGEST AREA OF SPENDING IS THE POLICE FORCE INCLUDING THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE FOR WHICH $2 011 MILLION IS REQUIRED.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID EXPANSION OF THE POLICE FORCE IN 1983-84 WOULD BE LIMITED AND THE NUMBER OF ITS DISCIPLINED PERSONNEL WOULD INCREASE FROM 23 476 AT THE END OF 1982 TO ABOUT 24 420 BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE POLICE WAS AGAIN REQUIRED TO DEPLOY CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES ON LAND AND AT SEA IN THE EFFORT TO PREVENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND TO CAPTURE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, HE SAID.

THE PHASED PROGRAMME FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MARINE POLICE FLEET FROM 1980 TO 1990 CONTINUED.

TENDERS FOR 15 ADDITIONAL VESSELS WERE INVITED IN 1982-83 AND TENDERS FOR TWO MORE WOULD BE INVITED IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, MR BREMRIDGE SAID.

PLANS FOR ENHANCING THE POLICE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUE IN 1983-84.

HE REPORTED THAT A TOTAL COMMITMENT OF $14.8 MILLION FOR THE SUPPLY. INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONS OF A CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR POLICING THE MTR ISLAND LINE HAD BEEN APPROVED AND EXPENDITURE WOULD BE SPREAD OVER THREE YEARS STARTING FROM 1983-84.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY PERSONAL BEAT RADIO SCHEME WOULD PROCEED IN 1983-84 TO COVER THE AIRPORT, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN DIVISIONS, MR BREMRIDGE SAID,

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT AND THE UPDATING OF THE MARINE POLICE RADAR WERE PROCEEDING, AND MOST OF THE EXPENDITURE WOULD BE INCURRED IN 1983-84.

IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT $105 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON NEW POLICE BUILDINGS IN 1983-84, COMPARED WITH $466 MILLION IN 1982-83, HE REPORTED.

MR BR MRIDGE SAID IT WAS PLANNED THAT A FURTHER 21 NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE UNITS AND REPORT CENTRES WOULD BE OPENED IN 1983-84 TO ENCOURAGE MORE REPORTING OF CRIME AND BETTER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC.

/AN ESTIMATED ....

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