1967 — Page 214

of 259

Page 214 of 259

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activities, and a lessening of communal discipline amongst hawkers and general public alike, resulted in a deterioration of standards of clean- liness in certain streets. With the resumption of more normal condi- tions our Cleansing staff have re-started joint operations with the Police in many of the places named. One particularly successful combined exercise, involving the Police, the Hawker Control Force and the Hawkers and Markets and Cleansing staff of the department, was carried out between 27th November and 1st December, 1967, in the Nga Tsin Long and Hau Wong Roads. In this operation 700 pedlars were moved into a prepared bazaar, whilst 127 fixed pitch hawkers were resited in the same area. The result has been the clearance of roads for motor traffic or repair, and the re-establishment of order amongst the hawkers in the area, which will enable our Cleansing staff to perform the tasks allotted to them with greater efficiency and effectiveness. It would be most beneficial to be able to carry out similar operations in other areas, but these will depend on the alloca- tion of off-street bazaar sites, which in our crowded city are not so easy to come by.

Now to mention some more general matters, particularly in their application to the staff under my control. Mr. P. S. Woo devoted his speech in the main to the subject of courtesy in the public service. I hasten to reassure him that Government does indeed regard it as of the highest importance that civil servants should make all efforts to be help- ful, friendly, and courteous in their dealings with the public. This applies equally in face-to-face contact, contact by telephone or by cor- respondence. Training of staff has for some years been directed to this end. As far as my department is concerned the following extract from the monthly departmental circular, of July this year, is the latest example of what we are trying to do:

"All staff are reminded that it is their duty to ensure that members of the public receive courteous treatment at all times. It is neces- sary particularly in the case of officers who have direct and constant dealings with the public, to avoid the temptation either of adopting an overbearing attitude to the poor or uninfluential, or of responding aggressively if rudely addressed by individual members of the com- munity.

"The powers applicable to this department under the laws of the Colony must be exercised by all officers in a reasonable and practical manner, in accordance with the policy laid down by the Urban Council. It should, however, be understood that the co-operation of the public is necessary, and the aim should be to gain the con- fidence and respect of the whole community, so that members of the department are looked upon as friends and advisers on all sanitary and health matters, rather than enforcement officers." A Chinese version of this circular goes to all officers in charge in the district offices for the information of their staff.

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Another general topic has been mentioned: promotion in the public service. The advancement by promotion in the public service depends upon merit and experience. The Public Services Commission, to whom all promotions with few exceptions above the salary level $1,070 a month are referred, ensures that favouritism does not operate. The Chairman and Members of the Commission are most meticulous in making certain that the best available officer is selected for promotion and that very good reasons are given by departmental heads for passing over other officers if the most senior is not selected. All officers irre- spective of race are considered equally and treated in the same manner for advancement.

In the Urban Services Department the position is as follows. About 80% of the staff consists of officers on Model Salary Scale 1, that is to say grades ranging from Labourer to Foreman Class III. Promotions within that range normally depend on the recommendations of a Board, consisting of not less than three departmental officers, one of whom must be an Executive Officer from a Division unconnected with the one in which the vacancies occur. Approval of the recommendations of the Board is delegated by the Director of Urban Services to the Secretary of Urban Services personally. The same system applies for promotions of Foremen Classes I and II, Overseers and other grades of similar status, except that a prior written examination is held to test the candidates' standard of English. Where required for certain posts, trade tests are conducted either by the Urban Services Department or the Public Works Department. For the Health Inspectorate, recom- mendations again come from a Promotions Board, consisting of the Deputy Director, three Assistant Directors, the Superintendent and the Secretary of Urban Services. This Board has recently sought to broaden its already impartial views by seeking assessments on officers within the promotion zone from all Assistant Superintendents and Health Officers. The recommendations of this Promotions Board require the personal endorsement of the Director of Urban Services, and for officers above the salary level $1,070 a month, as I have said, the advice of the Public Services Commission is required before approval by the Colonial Secre- tariat is given. All Boards, for any grade of officer, try to recommend on the basis of the ability plus seniority of the candidates.

We have heard the Secretary for Chinese Affairs speak today on the subject of communication between Government and people. In addition the Director of Information Services has asked me to say, in response particularly to Mrs. Ellen Lr's thoughtful remarks, that he appreciates very much both their spirit and content. The problem of language and the need to increase the flow of information in the Chinese language have always been a major consideration in his department. Leaving aside some specialists and some experts with responsibilities for overseas publicity material, information for the Press, Radio and