ENG-1981 — Page 49

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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

The Trading Standards Advisory Board met four times during the year. It appointed the Precious Metals Marking Order Sub-Committee which also met four times. The sub- committee's recommendation to introduce a statutory order for the compulsory marking of gold and gold alloy products provided in the course of trade in Hong Kong was endorsed by the main committee and forwarded to the government for consideration. It is expected that the Marking Order will be enforced during 1982.

The Weights and Measures Branch was set up to introduce a system to protect consumers against short weights and measures. Legislation aimed at strengthening the existing laws in this field is in preparation.

Trade Industry and Customs Department

The responsibilities of the Trade Industry and Customs Department include the conduct of overseas commercial relations, industrial development and investment promotion, certifi- cation of origin, trade controls, the collection and protection of revenue from dutiable commodities and the detection of contraband.

On matters of policy affecting trade and industry other than labour and those falling within the purview of the Industrial Development Board, the Director of Trade Industry and Customs takes advice from the Trade Advisory Board, the Industry Advisory Board and the Textiles Advisory Board. On trading standards, the director is advised by the Trading Standards Advisory Committee, which was established in June 1981.

The Trade Advisory Board comprises representatives of various sectors including commerce, banking and insurance. The Industry Advisory Board comprises representatives of manufacturing industries and banking appointed in their personal capacities, and chairmen of leading trade and industrial organisations, or their nominated representatives, serving ex-officio. They usually meet once every two months.

The Textiles Advisory Board, a more specialised body, is consulted on matters, other than labour matters, affecting the textiles and garment industries.

The Trading Standards Advisory Committee consists of representatives of consumer interests as well as major trading associations.

The Trade Industry and Customs Department comprises three parts – the Department of Trade, headed by the Commissioner of Trade; the Department of Industry, headed by the Commissioner of Industry; and the Department of Customs and Controls, headed by the Commissioner of Customs and Controls who is also appointed as the Commissioner of the Customs and Excise Service, a disciplined and uniformed force.

The Department of Trade has three overseas offices in Brussels, Geneva and Washington and is also represented in the Hong Kong Government Office in London. The overseas offices are almost entirely concerned with commercial relations work. They represent Hong Kong's interests on a day-to-day basis and provide information on international develop- ments which may affect Hong Kong.

The Commissioner of Trade is assisted in Hong Kong by two deputy commissioners and five assistant commissioners. One deputy commissioner heads the EEC and Multilateral Group while the other heads the Rest of the World and Textile Systems Group.

The EEC and Multilateral Group comprises two divisions, each headed by an assistant commissioner. One division is responsible for Hong Kong's external commercial relations and internal quota administration with the EEC and Portugal, Spain and Turkey – includ- ing the preparation for, and the conduct of, trade negotiations, and the collection and dis- semination of information on trade policy measures taken by the countries concerned which may affect Hong Kong. The second division is responsible for Hong Kong's multilateral