ENG-1991 — Page 429

POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

368

Special arrangements are made to enable Vietnamese illegal immigrants in detention centres to register their marriages in Hong Kong. In 1991, 1 013 marriages were contracted under these arrangements.

The Registrar of Marriages is also responsible for the issue of Certificates of Absence of Marriage Records to local residents. The number of these certificates issued during the was 37 775, an increase of 33 per cent compared with 28 449 in 1990.

Births and Deaths

year

The registration of births and deaths is compulsory. The General Register Office keeps all records of births and deaths.

During the year, 70 135 live births and 28 685 deaths were registered, compared with 69 748 and 29 201 respectively in 1990. The figures, when adjusted for under-registra- tion, gave a natural increase in population for 1991 of about 40 400.

A birth which has not been registered within one year may be post-registered with the consent of the Registrar of Births and Deaths and on payment of a fee of $120. During the year, 590 births were post-registered in this manner.

Birth registration services in the urban districts are provided by two main registries, one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. There are also six birth registries in the rural areas providing similar services in their respective districts. In the outlying areas and _islands, births are normally registered at various rural committee offices by visiting district registrars. Visiting services are also provided to register the birth of babies born locally to Vietnamese illegal immigrants in detention centres. During the year 1 639 babies were born in these centres.

There are two death registries, one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. Deaths in the rural areas are registered at local police stations except in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung where deaths are registered in a death registry. Apart from registration of deaths, the death registries issued 1 306 removal permits in 1991 for the purpose of removing bodies for burial outside Hong Kong.

Establishment and Recruitment

At year end, the department had an establishment of 3 518 disciplined staff, 15 less than in 1990. The number of civilian staff was 2 385. During the year, 85 immigration assistants were recruited.

Restructuring of the Immigration Service, which was approved on January 19, 1990 and which involved the creation of a new rank of Chief Immigrant Assistant to undertake most of the responsibilities previously carried out by Assistant Immigration Officers, is being progressively implemented. The whole exercise is expected to be completed in four to five years' time. On completion, the rank of Assistant Immigration Officer will be abolished.

Staff Training

The department provides training for both new and serving officers. Immigration assistant recruits undergo a 12-week induction training which covers law, immigration policies and procedures, drill, physical training, swimming, first-aid and practical attachments. As part of the career development programme, in-service and specialised training is also provided within the department and in outside organisations.