TNAG-1855-FCO40-2630-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 70

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL —15 March 1989

香港立法局

·九八九年三月十五日

22

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, in the light of that impassioned speech, I can say that the situation is not as serious as is being depicted at all. Commenting on the same television programme, the Commissioner of Police of course made the point that this was not critical. In fact, I would say that it is by no means critical and will not be critical at all this year. The Administration is not sitting back and reviewing the situation. The Administration is keeping it under constant review and that means on a month-to-month basis. I personally consult with the heads of the departments concerned what the situation is, and if it is necessary for any remedial steps to be taken, then they are taken. The point about percentages is very important and, with the greatest respect to my questioner, is more relevant than talking about numbers. We are, after all, talking about a police force of 30 000 people and 100 in 30 000 is a very, very small percentage. But if you do not mention the percentage and merely talk about the figure, you frequently give a distorted impression of the situation. Sir, I am perfectly happy with the situation in the police force and the Fire Services at the moment. Recruitment is something that we shall have to watch during the year. If it continues at the present rate, I see no particular problems, and it will certainly be less than the Civil Service position as a whole by the end of the year.

MR. PETER WONG: Sir, I am not going to play with numbers, but we will be all concerned if senior and experienced staff are leaving. Sir, what is the average length of service of those people leaving the police force and Fire Services, and how does that compare with preceding years?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, I do not have those figures this afternoon.

I shall be happy to provide them in writing. (Annex III)

倪少傑議員問:政府會否考慮延遲紀律部隊,尤其是警隊及消防處人員的退休年齡,以緩和資深 人員的流失及人手短缺問題?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, this is not an option which we think it is necessary to consider at the moment.

陳英麟議員問:請問本港人手短缺問題會否對警隊及消防處人員的流失造成壓力?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, the tight labour market and the undoubted attractions of the private sector in some respects are bound to have adverse