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Following is a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Lau Kong-wah on the uniforms of the disciplined services in the Legislative Council today (June 20):
Question:
Regarding the uniforms of the disciplined services, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective dates on which the different kinds of uniforms currently in use by various disciplined services were first introduced, the unit costs as well as the wear and tear rates of the uniforms, and in the course of designing these uniforms, of the places to which reference had been made with respect to the designs and standards of the disciplined services in these places;
(b) of the views reflected in the past two years by disciplined services officers on the design, materials and wearing comfort, etc, of their uniforms; and
(c) whether the authorities will review if the uniforms for disciplined services officers are suited to different weather conditions?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The information requested in part (a) of the question, viz. the respective year in which the different kinds of uniforms currently in use by various disciplined services were first introduced, the unit costs as well as the percentage of disciplined services staff replacing their uniform in a year, and in the course of designing these uniforms, the places to which reference had been made with respect to the designs and standards of the disciplined services in these places, are set out in the Annex already distributed to Members.
(b) In the past two years, the disciplined services have received the following feedback from their officers on the design, materials and wearing comfort of their uniforms:
(i) Design
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Some Immigration officers consider that the form-fitting cutting of the winter tunic might restrict body movements and affect operations for certain staff, such as those manning immigration clearance counters. The Immigration Department completed a trial of replacing the winter tunic by a pullover last winter. Staff have mixed views on the alternative uniform. The Department is considering their views.
(ii) Materials
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Some Policemen have reflected that the colour of the previous light weight trousers would fade easily and the button of the collar of the shirt could easily fall off after washing. Having reviewed and tested these trousers and shirts, the Police have introduced replacement trousers now made of materials which have a higher "colour fastness", and replacement shirts that do not have buttons on the collar.
Separately, some Government Flying Service colleagues reflected that the material used for the T-shirt worn underneath the flying suit or mechanic suit was not effective in perspiration absorption. The department has therefore changed the material to 100% cotton.
(iii) Wearing comfort
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Some Traffic Police officers have pointed out that the newly introduced traffic protective jacket makes the wearer feel hot and stifling. The Police officers' protective jacket and protective breeches are made of elastic nylon cotton with Aramid layer laminated cloth, and the protective jacket in particular has polyamide with reflective safety fabric to ensure occupational safety, so as to offer suitable protection to traffic officers. The protective jacket has undergone a series of tests. To address the problem, the Force has given instruction for the officers to take off the protective jacket when they are not riding the motorcycle and drink enough water to lower the body temperature. The Force's Uniform and Accoutrements Committee will continue to look for more suitable products.
Similarly, some Customs colleagues have raised that the winter uniform is stuffy. The Department is considering the use of new materials to improve the situation.
Separately, some firemen consider wearing multi-functional ankle protection boots for a long period of time in hot weather uncomfortable. The Department is exploring different solutions, including allowing firemen to wear multi-functional ankle protection boots and leather shoes alternatively whilst not comprising occupational safety.
(c) The disciplined services will review if the uniforms for their officers are suited to different weather conditions from time to time. Apart from weather conditions, the departments will also take into account other factors such as operational need, occupational safety and health, service image, officers' views and cost-effectiveness in reviewing the uniforms.
Ends/Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:55
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