ENG-1977 — Page 210

COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT

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11th in the series of Lunar New Year stamps. In February, three stamps were issued to form part of an omnibus series of Commonwealth stamps commemorating the Queen's Silver Jubilee. Four stamps with the theme of tourism were issued in June, and three depicting orchids that grow wild in the Hong Kong countryside were issued in October.

Agency services carried out by the Post Office on behalf of other government departments included the payment of social welfare benefits amounting to $12 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. He acts as adviser to the government on general technical matters concerning the provision of all types of telecommunica- tions services, including the operation of the public telephone network, the provision of television services, and the provision of telecommunications 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, where necessary, instigates legal proceedings. It also is responsible for the control of radio frequencies in Hong Kong and the investigation of complaints about 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 mainte- nance services for a large number of telecommunications and electronic systems and items of equipment used by government departments, including the Medical and Health Department.

Telephone services and various other telecommunications facilities within Hong Kong are provided by the Hong Kong Telephone Company. The telephone system is fully automatic and a flat rate charging arrangement for the local service allows an unlimited number of calls to be made within Hong Kong.

With more than 27 telephones for every 100 people, Hong Kong has the second highest telephone density in Asia and continues to show a steady growth pattern. Telephone service is generally available on demand anywhere in Hong Kong, and the company has extended service to remote areas and smaller offshore islands. By the end of 1977, following the opening of exchanges in Kennedy Town, Ko Tong, Ma On Shan, Tung Chung, Tsing Yi Island and Lai Chi Wo, there was a total of 62 telephone exchanges, with equipment ranging from electro-mechanical switching systems to the latest design of common control semi-electronic apparatus. A ships telephone service is available to enable calls to be made into the public telephone network within minutes of a ship mooring in the harbour.

Telephone service to the rest of the world is available, in conjunction with Cable and Wireless Limited, by means of both operator and subscriber dialled services. Since the introduction of international direct dialling in 1976, it has been extended to some 40 countries, including most of Western Europe, East Africa, North America,

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