ENG-1980 — Page 184

PUBLIC ORDER

Auxiliary Police

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The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force, which has an establishment of 5,176, recruits volunteers from all walks of life. Its actual strength in 1980 was 5,005. The principal role of the auxiliary force is to support the regular force in its constabulary duties. In an emergency, when mobilisation may be ordered, the auxiliaries are provided for internal security duties.

During the year, a daily average of 780 auxiliary volunteers turned out for constabulary duties in support of the regular force with a further 162 being provided as a result of the mobilisation to strengthen anti-illegal immigration operations.

Parity of pay with regular force salaries - from the rank of constable to station sergeant, with flat rate payments above this level - was approved with retrospective effect from April 1, 1980. The pay adjustments stimulated recruitment to the force and additional recruit training courses were organised to cope with the increase in applicants.

Also approved later in the year was the payment of ex-gratia allowances to auxiliary policemen who are required to perform continuous active service in excess of eight hours in any period of 24 hours. It is intended that this should apply in emergency situations only.

Customs and Excise Service

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The Customs and Excise Service is a disciplined force which forms a self-contained part of the Department of Customs and Controls one of the three constituent departments of the Trade Industry and Customs Department. Its main functions are to enforce the laws of Hong Kong relating to dutiable commodities, dangerous drugs, import and export controls and copyright protection. The service is also charged with a wide range of other responsibilities, including the prevention and detection of illegally imported goods which are prohibited or restricted for reasons of public health and safety, or in compliance with international obligations.

The establishment and structure of the service are undergoing major reorganisation pro- grammes to meet present-day conditions and growing responsibilities, which have increased both in complexity and variety. The aim of the moves is to provide for more efficient and effective management and control, and improved operational standards. To strengthen the administration of the service, a Management Technical Unit was established in late 1979 to provide appropriate advisory and technical support; to provide an organised system of internal management control; and to advise on the organisational structure and monitor the service's future expansion. The establishment at the end of 1980 totalled 1,565 personnel in all ranks, supported by 142 civilians. The Commissioner of the Customs and Controls Department is the Commissioner of the Customs and Excise Service.

Revenue Protection

There are four dutiable commodities in Hong Kong - alcoholic liquors, tobacco, methyl alcohol and hydrocarbon oils used as fuel for motor vehicles and aircraft. The Customs and Excise Service is responsible for collecting and protecting revenue derived from dutiable commodities. Controls over the import, export, manufacture, sale and storage of these commodities throughout Hong Kong are imposed under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, which is administered by the service. Some $883 million in revenue was collected on dutiable commodities in the 1979-80 financial year, compared with $830 million in 1978-9. Seizures and confiscations involved 1,002 kilograms of tobacco, 10,598 litres of liquor and 5,957 litres of hydrocarbon oil. A total of 1,007 people were arrested or sum- monsed, and fines amounting to $325,523 were imposed by the courts.