**************************************

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Yeung Sum and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, in the Legislative Council today (March 13):

Question:

It is learnt that the Police are planning to set up permanent closed-circuit television ("CCTV") cameras at Lan Kwai Fong, Central. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of:

(a) the organizations that the Police have consulted before deciding to implement the pilot scheme;

(b) the details of the scheme, including the implementation date, the duration, the number of CCTV cameras to be installed, the specific locations for camera installation, whether a 24-hour surveillance will be conducted, the manpower required, the costs involved in the purchase of such cameras and the recurrent expenditure on maintenance; and

(c) the measures to be adopted by the Police to safeguard people's privacy in implementing the scheme, so that the movements and behaviour of individual persons will not be subject to surveillance, as well as the penalties against those persons who abuse the CCTV system?

Reply:

President,

(a) Temporary CCTV has been successfully installed in the Lan Kwai Fong area for major events and festivals (e.g. Halloween, Christmas and New Year) in the past three years with the support and assistance of major business associations and interested parties in the area. The same parties have been consulted on the proposed pilot scheme of installing permanent CCTV system by the Central Police District and they indicated their general support.

(b) Detailed design specifications and funding arrangements are now being worked out. Upon completion of all the necessary preparatory arrangements, including further consultation, tender arrangements, etc installation work is tentatively scheduled to commence around August 2003. Once the installation work has been completed, the pilot scheme will operate for a period of six months to allow sufficient time for a thorough evaluation. The intention is to install about 9 outdoor cameras located around the Lan Kwai Fong area. Their locations will be similar to the temporary CCTV installation for major events and festivals in the area. Estimated capital costs for the system will be approximately HK$2.9m with an annual recurrent cost of $590,000 for maintenance. The CCTV will have a direct feed to Central Police Station. There will be no additional manpower or other cost implications as officers presently on duty in Central Police Station will man the system. Recording function will be carried out on a 24-hour basis. For the pilot scheme, officers will only be deployed to monitor the system as and when required for operational purposes (e.g. for specific events). Reference will be made to the recorded tapes at other times if required.

(c) The police attach great importance to the privacy concerns expressed by the community, arising from the installation of CCTV in public places. Every step will be taken to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Principles of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), Cap. 486. The Police will be working closely with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to ensure that personal data captured by the CCTV would not be misused or compromised unless a justifiable exemption under Part VIII of the PDPO is applicable. The Police have also developed detailed internal procedures and guidelines with regard to security, accessibility and duration of retention of the recorded tapes. Operation guidelines will be drawn up in strict compliance with the PDPO. In addition, detailed instructions will be issued to officers using the system to ensure compliance with both the PDPO and other internal control mechanisms. Failure to comply with the internal guidelines and instructions may render officers liable to criminal or disciplinary action.

End/Wednesday, March 13, 2002

NNNN