ENG-1983 — Page 242

PUBLIC ORDER

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During the year, 466 people were taken to court for corruption and related offences and 360 prosecutions were completed with 273 convictions. The conviction rate on completed cases stood at 76 per cent. At the end of the year, 113 cases were pending trial and 436 investigations were in progress.

On the advice of the Operations Review Committee, reports concerning 238 serving or former government officers were referred to the Civil Service Branch and their heads of departments for consideration of disciplinary or administrative action.

Corruption Prevention

The Corruption Prevention Department reviews and recommends changes to procedures in government departments and public bodies that may give rise to corruption. Its advisory service is also extended to any private organisation or individuals on request.

During the year, 83 assignment studies were completed, bringing the total since 1974 to 804. These studies are detailed examinations of specific areas of a department's activities, covering policy, law, instructions, work methods and management. Reviewing previous studies and monitoring corruption prevention measures already put into effect also remained an important feature of the department's work.

Training programmes organised for supervisors in the government and in the private sector continued during the year. In addition to training in the concept of supervisory accountability and management's role in corruption prevention, a new course on the delegation of responsibility and authority was developed and used. Training for senior and junior supervisors in the government helps to build corruption prevention measures into government policies and procedures as they evolve. In 1983, 220 seminars were held for 3238 government officers in 13 departments, while 28 seminars were attended by 375 people in the private sector and from public bodies.

The year saw a closer working relationship with an increasing number of government departments. The department offered advice on draft legislation, new procedures and instructions and played an active part in departmental and inter-departmental working groups, being represented on 33 working groups or committees.

Reports to the ICAC which indicated deviation from established policy or procedures were followed up by the department. These provided useful information for the evaluation of policy and the effectiveness of corruption prevention measures and helped to pinpoint areas requiring study.

Community Relations

The responsibility for educating the public about the evils of corruption, and fostering community support for the commission's efforts falls on the Community Relations Department. In carrying out these functions, an attempt is also made to promote sound civic awareness and higher ethical standards. The department works on two fronts reaching the public through the mass media and through direct contact with individual members of the community. During 1983, the department reached 374 000 people through 21 033 liaison activities.

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During the year, much effort was directed at explaining aspects of the anti-corruption laws to the private sector and at encouraging higher standards of business ethics. The department also took part in 607 training courses reaching 21 810 civil servants. In September, the commission opened its eleventh local office, providing a base at Sha Tin to deal with reports and enquiries from the public. The office also serves as a focal point for conducting liaison activities in the new town.