TNAG-0760-FCO40-964-Annual-accounts-of-the-Hong-Kong-Government-for-1977-1978 — Page 19

-

12

45.

The loss arising from illegal connections and theft from

Government mains cannot be quantified. However, illegal practices

do exist and a Prosecutions Unit was established in the Waterworks

Office in October 1976 to detect and prosecute offenders. In the year following its establishment, during which period the strength of the

unit was being built up, total summonses issued amounted to 475.

Further growth in the unit is planned.

Paragraph 66: Heads 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 - Public Works

46.

Non-recurrent: Compensation

The ambiguity of the rules and conditions applying to the

determination of ex-gratia allowances paid in respect of clearances

of land in the New Territories refers mainly to allowances for graves

and miscellaneous permanent improvements to land. As regards

graves, new rates of allowances have now been approved by Finance

Committee. As regards miscellaneous permanent improvements,

the principles on which assessments should be based have now been

agreed and proper authority will be sought for their introduction.

Paragraph 67: Heads 68-69

47.

-

Public Works Non-recurrent:

Terminated contracts

The Director of Public Works has advised that an instruction

was issued by the Public Works Department in February 1976 that

bondsmen should be notified immediately a default occurs and should

be kept informed of the situation thereafter.

48. On the wider question of the assessment of contractors'

means, the Accounting Services Division of the Public Works

Department Headquarters was strengthened in December 1975, to

enable stricter financial criteria to be applied to Government

contractors.

/Paragraphs