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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, (in the absence of Secretary for Security) to a question by the Hon Cheung Hok-ming in the Legislative Council today (April 16):
Question:
It has been reported that the Closed Area Permit Office has implemented a new measure on closed area permits since April 1 this year, under which residents, visitors and persons who need to access the Closed Area because of their work are issued grey, yellow and pink permits respectively in place of the original grey permits. Some residents of the Closed Area pointed out that the new measure might split the people within the Closed Area. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the purpose and details of introducing the above new measure; and
(b) whether it has thoroughly consulted the District Councils, Rural Committees and residents concerned on such measure; if it has, of the relevant details (including the duration of consultation); if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Police introduced the newly designed Closed Area Permits (CAPs) on April 1, 2008, with grey, yellow and pink CAPs to be issued to residents of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA), visitors to the FCA and persons who need to enter the FCA for work purposes respectively. The new CAPs replace the original ones which were all grey in colour.
The introduction of CAPs of different colours is to facilitate frontline police officers in identifying different CAP categories and verifying the identity of CAP holders. It will also minimise the possibility of forgery of CAPs, thus enhancing the Police's operational efficacy in maintaining the security of the FCA. The existing CAP application procedures and issuing criteria have remained unchanged.
(b) In March 2008, the Police issued a document to the North District Council to explain the new measure. The Police also consulted the Rural Committees of the North District, including the San Tin, Sheung Shui, Ta Kwu Ling and Sha Tau Kok Rural Committees, and obtained the Committees' support.
Ends/Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:13
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