ENG-1976 — Page 205

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

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The weight of parcels despatched by air increased by 32 per cent, while the weight of other air mail despatched increased by 12 per cent.

The speedpost service, which caters for the rapid and reliable transmission of business documents and commercial papers, continued to grow in popularity and scope. In addition to the established services to Britain, the United States, Brazil and Japan, the service was extended to Belgium, France, Australia and the Netherlands.

Express mail traffic also continued to increase, with some 611,000 items being despatched-75 per cent more than in 1975.

As from January 1, 1976, it was necessary to increase some overseas surface post- age rates as a result of changes in the basic international rates agreed at the Universal Postal Union Congress held in Lausanne in' 1974. While making these changes, certain other rates and fees were also revised-in some cases to avoid anomalies with the new surface postage rates and in others to take account of present-day costs.

In most areas of Hong Kong there are two mail deliveries a day, Monday to Saturday inclusive. The Post Office aims to deliver mail not later than one working day after the date of posting, and it is largely successful in achieving this target.

There were three issues of commemorative postage stamps in 1976. Two stamps were issued in January to mark the Lunar New Year-the Year of the Dragon. This was the tenth in the series of Lunar New Year stamps. Two stamps depicting the Diamond Jubilee of the Girl Guide movement in Hong Kong were issued in April, and three commemorating the official opening of the new General Post Office were issued in August. }

Agency services carried out by the Post Office on behalf of other government departments during the year included payment of social welfare benefits amounting to $13 million a month.

Telecommunications Services

The Postmaster General is the Telecommunications Authority in Hong Kong and administers the Telecommunications Ordinance, which governs the establishment and operation of all telecommunications services. The Postmaster General acts as adviser to the government on general technical matters concerning the provision of all types of telecommunications services, including the operation of the public tele- phone network, the provision of television services, and the provision of telecom- munications services to and from places outside Hong Kong.

The Post Office issues licences required under the Telecommunications Ordinance, investigates cases of infringement of the ordinance, and instigates legal proceedings where necessary. It is also responsible for the control of radio frequencies in Hong Kong and the investigation of complaints of radio interference. On behalf of the Director of Marine, it carries out the inspection and survey of ship radio stations to ensure compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. The Post Office plans and makes arrangements for the provision of telephone services for all government departments. It also provides advisory, installation and main- tenance services for a large number of telecommunications and electronic systems and