ENG-1959 — Page 408

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

351

sometimes obliged to become proficient in Chinese by grant of allowances and bonuses. Language examinations are conducted by the Board of Examiners, and a scheme is now afoot to improve teaching methods and administration so that more expatriate officers may reach a higher standard of proficiency. Apprenticeship schemes are run by the Public Works and Printing Departments, and the Kowloon-Canton Railway, and a large scale scheme for the training of teachers is organized by the Education Department. Sixty seven local officers were sent overseas during 1959 on courses of instruction to obtain qualifications ranging from F.R.C.S. to the 'meat and other foods certificate' of the Royal Society of Health, or simply to broaden their experience. In addi- tion 58 overseas officers attended courses while on vacation leave, to familiarize themselves with the latest developments in their professions or to acquire further specialized experience. The cost of overseas training is in the region of $1,100,000.

In accordance with the advice of the Salaries Commission, a central training unit will be formed within the Establishment Branch to prosecute training more vigorously and in particular to organize training schemes for administrative, executive and clerical officers.

=

The Government also takes the fullest possible advantage of the seminars, study tours and other forms of training provided by the United Nations and its specialized agencies under both the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the regular technical assistance programmes of individual agencies. During 1959 local participants, including both government officers and non-officials, attended such seminars as Judicial and Other Remedies against the Illegal Exercise or Abuse of Administrative Authority (Ceylon), under the auspices of the United Nations; a Food and Agricultural Organization seminar on Food Technology (Mysore); an Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East Training Centre in Trade Promotion (Tokyo) and an Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East Study Tour for Geologists and Mining Engineers in the United States of America and Canada; a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Workshop for Administrators of Vocational and Technical Education in South East Asia (Tokyo) and seminars on Dental Health (Adelaide), Veterinary Public Health (Tokyo)