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The Immigration Department will immediately update its computer system once a loss of identity card is reported. This ensures that only genuine cardholders can use their identity cards for arrival and departure clearance. With information being updated, the Police will also be able to authenticate identity cards on streets with their beat radio.

Both the Police and the Immigration Department cultivateintelligence on and conduct operations against syndicates using altered identity cards.

The Commercial Crime Bureau monitor closely altered identity cards which may come to light and inform police officers of flaws and features of these falsified cards.

The Police liaise closely with commercial organisations to advise them to report immediately any cases involving identity cards which are suspected to be counterfeit or in false possession.

HOS flat owners responsible for slope maintenance

Following are a question by the Hon Sin Chung-kai and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council of the following:

(a)

who is responsible for monitoring the safety of slopes within the boundaries of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) estates; and

(b)

having regard to the statement set out in the "Layman's Guide to Slope Maintenance" issued by the Geotechnical Engineering Office that slope maintenance work should be carried out by the owner or the party assigned with such maintenance responsibility, whether the Government or owners of HOS flats should be responsible for maintaining the slopes within the boundaries of HOS estates?