Page 168 of 654
Page 168 of 654
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
169
On contracting out, we are in fact proceeding with phase 1 of such work.
The second question is on a professional team to solve the Year 2000 compliance issue. I think our Information Technology Centre already has a long-term development plan. As for the recovery centre referred to by Mr. CHUNG, it is a suggestion to prevent total destruction of our computer systems and data in the eventuality of a fire. The recovery site will function for recovery of data at that eventuality. The issue of Year 2000 compliance is a problem that requires immediate resolution. If the recovery site is asked to deal with it, it would not be a professional way of handling the matter. I am fully aware that efficiency is an important issue. I am willing to explore further options to enhance efficiency at the Information Technology Sub-Committee.
(2) MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—In the past, irrespective of whether Councillors or other persons lodge complaints against market stall operators and hawkers, staff of Urban Services Department (USD) have, through various channels, disclosed the personal particulars of the complainants to the complainees. I now wish USD to answer the following questions:
(a) How many channels are used by USD in disclosing information? Are they in operation 24 hours a day?
(b) How long does it usually take to completely disclose the relevant information after receiving the complaints?
(c) Does USD review regularly the relevant mechanism for disclosing information?
Mr. Ip Kwok-Chung, Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-First of all, I would like to point out that the USD has clarified that the staff of the Department do not disclose the personal particulars of the complainants to market stall operators and hawkers under complaint.
As regards Mr. LEE's three questions, I shall answer as follows.
The first part of the question enquires about the channels used by USD in disclosing the personal particulars of the complainants to the persons complained about and whether the channels are in operation 24 hours a day.
There is a departmental standing instruction governing the investigation of complaints. As a general rule, the officer investigating a complaint should under no circumstances disclose the personal particulars including the identity, address or telephone number of a complainant to the person under complaint or any member of the public. However, if there is a specific request to do so by the party under complaint and subject to the following considerations, approval may be given by an officer of at least the rank of Senior Superintendent of Environmental Health for the disclosure of the identity of the complainant:
Page 168 of 654
Page 168 of 654
Page 168 of 654
Page 168 of 654
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
169
On contracting out, we are in fact proceeding with phase 1 of such work.
The second question is on a professional team to solve the Year 2000 compliance issue. I think our Information Technology Centre already has a long-term development plan. As for the recovery centre referred to by Mr. CHUNG, it is a suggestion to prevent total destruction of our computer systems and data in the eventuality of a fire. The recovery site will function for recovery of data at that eventuality. The issue of Year 2000 compliance is a problem that requires immediate resolution. If the recovery site is asked to deal with it, it would not be a professional way of handling the matter. I am fully aware that efficiency is an important issue. I am willing to explore further options to enhance efficiency at the Information Technology Sub-Committee.
(2) MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—In the past, irrespective of whether Councillors or other persons lodge complaints against market stall operators and hawkers, staff of Urban Services Department (USD) have, through various channels, disclosed the personal particulars of the complainants to the complainees. I now wish USD to answer the following questions:
(a) How many channels are used by USD in disclosing information? Are they
in operation 24 hours a day?
(b) How long does it usually take to completely disclose the relevant
information after receiving the complaints?
(c) Does USD review regularly the relevant mechanism for disclosing
information?
Mr. Ip Kwok-Chung, Chairman of the Markets and Street TraDERS Select CommITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-First of all, I would like to point out that the USD has clarified that the staff of the Department do not disclose the personal particulars of the complainants to market stall operators and hawkers under complaint.
As regards Mr. LEE's three questions, I shall answer as follows.
The first part of the question enquires about the channels used by USD in disclosing the personal particulars of the complainants to the persons complained about and whether the channels are in operation 24 hours a day.
There is a departmental standing instruction governing the investigation of complaints. As a general rule, the officer investigating a complaint should under no circumstances disclose the personal particulars including the identity, address or telephone number of a complainant to the person under complaint or any member of the public. However, if there is a specific request to do so by the party under complaint and subject to the following considerations, approval may be given by an officer of at least the rank of Senior Superintendent of Environmental Health for the disclosure of the identity of the complainant:
Page 168 of 654
Page 168 of 654
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.