that day-to-day decisions on virtually all matters, other than departmental policy and the programming of future projects, can be made by Offices. Headquarters concerns itself with departmental policy, future works programmes and the co-ordination of the needs of Offices. To provide this co-ordination, weekly meetings are held at which Headquarters and Office representatives consider matters affecting land and development. Very close contacts are maintained between P.W.D. Headquarters and the Colonial Secretariat.
THE EFFECT OF VACANCIES ON PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY
1.22 To a greater or lesser extent all Offices of P.W.D. continue to work below strength, especially at the professional/assistant professional level and the Buildings Ordinance Office in particular has been 43% and 40% below approved strength in respect of building surveying and structural engineering staff. In other offices the deficiency varies from 15% to 28% in professional grades of various disciplines and up to 35% in technical grades.
1.23 Recruitment has marginally improved the position in some disciplines but in others, recruitment exercises have failed to keep pace with normal retirement and other wastage. This is particularly the case in those disciplines which produce few qualified local officers, notably quantity surveying, as the cumbersome procedures involved in recruiting expatriates, combined with the unsatisfactory accommodation situation, have deterred many potential candidates.
1.24 The general effect of these vacancies is to delay Government projects and despite the employment of private architects, quantity surveyors and consulting engineers this situation appears likely to continue. Some facets of work, especially in the Buildings Ordinance Office, have had to be curtailed or discontinued in order to concentrate on more essential duties.
STAFF
1.25 The total staff numbered more than 12,100, of whom 865 were professional or assistant professional officers. Occupants of superscale posts, distribution of staff and rates of pay of artisans, labourers and apprentices are given in Appendices A, B and C respectively.
1.26 During the year the following senior officer left Hong Kong on leave prior to retirement:
Mr. R. C. CLARKE, Director of Lands and Survey, on 1.6.72.
that day-to-day decisions on virtually all matters, other than depart- menal policy and the programming of future projects, can be made by Offices. Headquarters concerns itself with departmental policy, future works programmes and the co-ordination of the needs of Offices. To provide this co-ordination, weekly meetings are held at which Headquarters and Office representatives consider matters affecting land and development. Very close contacts are maintained between P.W.D. Headquarters and the Colonial Secretariat.
THE EFFECT OF VACANCIES ON PRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY
1.22 To a greater or lesser extent all Offices of P.W.D. continue to work below strength, especially at the professional/assistant pro- fessional level and the Buildings Ordinance Office in particular has been 43% and 40% below approved strength in respect of building surveying and structural engineering staff. In other offices the deficiency varies from 15% to 28% in professional grades of various disciplines and up to 35% in technical grades.
1.23 Recruitment has marginally improved the position in some disciplines but in others, recruitment exercises have failed to keep pace with normal retirement and other wastage. This is particularly the case in those disciplines which produce few qualified local officers, notably quantity surveying, as the cumbersome procedures involved in recruiting expatriates, combined with the unsatisfactory accommoda- tion situation, have deterred many potential candidates.
1.24 The general effect of these vacancies is to delay Government projects and despite the employment of private architects, quantity surveyors and consulting engineers this situation appears likely to continue. Some facets of work, especially in the Buildings Ordinance Office, have had to be curtailed or discontinued in order to concentrate on more essential duties.
STAFF
1.25 The total staff numbered more than 12,100, of whom 865 were professional or assistant professional officers. Occupants of susperscale posts, distribution of staff and rates of pay of artistans, labourers and apprentices are given in Appendices A, B and C respectively.
1.26 During the year the following senior officer left Hong Kong on leave prior to retirement:
Mr. R. C. CLARKE, Director of Lands and Survey, on 1.6.72.
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