S for S elaborates on 2005/06 Policy Agenda
******************************************* The Security Bureau would continue to take forward various initiatives in the current legislative session to maintain a safe and stable environment and an efficient immigration control system, and to provide reliable and efficient emergency services for Hong Kong, the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, said today (October 19).
Explaining the Security Bureau's 2005/06 policy agenda at a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Security, Mr Lee said Hong Kong was one of the safest cities in the world and crime rates had remained at low levels in the past few years.
"To maintain our advantageous position in law and order, our law enforcement departments must be given legal and reasonable investigative powers to detect crimes and safeguard public security, including the power to intercept communications and conduct covert surveillance," Mr Lee said.
"The Administration considers that the existing legislation and procedures regulating covert surveillance are in full compliance with the human rights provisions of the Basic Law. However, because of public concern, we are pressing ahead with preparations for enacting legislation. We plan to introduce legislative proposals for interception of communications and covert surveillance in the first half of the current legislative session."
Regarding initiatives to better manage emergency ambulance resources, Mr Lee said that because of increasing demands, the Security Bureau was studying ways to put the limited resources to better use in order to continue providing reliable and efficient services to the public.
In 2004, the Fire Services Department received more than 536,000 emergency ambulance calls, an increase of 12.2% over 2003. The number of such calls for 2005 is expected to further rise to more than 550,000.
Ambulances of the Fire Services Department arrived at the scene within 12 minutes of the emergency calls for 89% of such calls during the first three quarters of 2005. However, that fell short of the performance pledge of 92.5% of emergency calls.
"We consider it necessary to address the supply-and-demand imbalance by means of demand management measures and improvement to service delivery modes to meet public needs from a long-term perspective," Mr Lee said.
"One option being studied in detail is aimed at ensuring that people in genuine need will obtain fast and reliable professional emergency ambulance services. This includes the introduction of a medical priority dispatch system."
At the same time, the Government will consider whether additional resources for emergency ambulance services can be made available in the 2006/07 Estimates.
On the reduction of the size of the frontier closed area, Mr Lee said that the Security Bureau would propose in the next few months the actual limits of the reduced closed area, taking into account the cooperation between the Hong Kong and Shenzhen law enforcement agencies in combating cross-boundary crimes and preventing smuggling and illegal immigration activities.
Other relevant bureaus and departments will make an overall study of the future use of the land released, taking into account factors including land planning, transport, environmental and ecological features, and will formulate a proposal for public views.
In addition, the Policy Address announced a new admission scheme, under which a certain number of talented people from the Mainland and overseas who meet specific eligibility criteria will be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for a certain period of time, without first having to secure an offer of local employment. During their stay, they can decide whether they want to develop their career in Hong Kong on a long-term basis.
"To sharpen Hong Kong's competitive edge amid the process of globalisation, we must actively consider new initiatives to attract more talent to come to Hong Kong for career development. The Security Bureau will ensure that the relevant immigration policy is compatible with the overall development needs of the community," Mr Lee said.
******************************************* The Security Bureau would continue to take forward various initiatives in the current legislative session to maintain a safe and stable environment and an efficient immigration control system, and to provide reliable and efficient emergency services for Hong Kong, the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, said today (October 19).
Explaining the Security Bureau's 2005/06 policy agenda at a meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Security, Mr Lee said Hong Kong was one of the safest cities in the world and crime rates had remained at low levels in the past few years.
"To maintain our advantageous position in law and order, our law enforcement departments must be given legal and reasonable investigative powers to detect crimes and safeguard public security, including the power to intercept communications and conduct covert surveillance," Mr Lee said.
"The Administration considers that the existing legislation and procedures regulating covert surveillance are in full compliance with the human rights provisions of the Basic Law. However, because of public concern, we are pressing ahead with preparations for enacting legislation. We plan to introduce legislative proposals for interception of communications and covert surveillance in the first half of the current legislative session."
Regarding initiatives to better manage emergency ambulance resources, Mr Lee said that because of increasing demands, the Security Bureau was studying ways to put the limited resources to better use in order to continue providing reliable and efficient services to the public.
In 2004, the Fire Services Department received more than 536,000 emergency ambulance calls, an increase of 12.2% over 2003. The number of such calls for 2005 is expected to further rise to more than 550,000.
Ambulances of the Fire Services Department arrived at the scene within 12 minutes of the emergency calls for 89% of such calls during the first three quarters of 2005. However, that fell short of the performance pledge of 92.5% of emergency calls.
"We consider it necessary to address the supply-and-demand imbalance by means of demand management measures and improvement to service delivery modes to meet public needs from a long-term perspective," Mr Lee said.
"One option being studied in detail is aimed at ensuring that people in genuine need will obtain fast and reliable professional emergency ambulance services. This includes the introduction of a medical priority dispatch system."
At the same time, the Government will consider whether additional resources for emergency ambulance services can be made available in the 2006/07 Estimates.
On the reduction of the size of the frontier closed area, Mr Lee said that the Security Bureau would propose in the next few months the actual limits of the reduced closed area, taking into account the cooperation between the Hong Kong and Shenzhen law enforcement agencies in combating cross-boundary crimes and preventing smuggling and illegal immigration activities.
Other relevant bureaus and departments will make an overall study of the future use of the land released, taking into account factors including land planning, transport, environmental and ecological features, and will formulate a proposal for public views.
In addition, the Policy Address announced a new admission scheme, under which a certain number of talented people from the Mainland and overseas who meet specific eligibility criteria will be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for a certain period of time, without first having to secure an offer of local employment. During their stay, they can decide whether they want to develop their career in Hong Kong on a long-term basis.
"To sharpen Hong Kong's competitive edge amid the process of globalisation, we must actively consider new initiatives to attract more talent to come to Hong Kong for career development. The Security Bureau will ensure that the relevant immigration policy is compatible with the overall development needs of the community," Mr Lee said.
Ends/Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:54
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