50pc boost to spending on police intelligence
Police will spend 50 per cent more on intelligence-gathering this financial year, partly to meet increased anti-terrorism demands, the commissioner said yesterday.
Expenses covering rewards for police informants and for special services were about $54 million last year and are expected to reach $80 million this year.
Police Commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai said the spending covered confidential operations, including the fight against terrorism, serious crime, narcotics and security issues.
But he declined to give further details, saying it could jeopardise confidential police operations, and was not in the public interest.
'If I disclose the details here, it will only benefit the crime syndicates. It is the principal of all security authorities around the world not to openly talk about the use of informants' fees,' he told lawmakers at a Legco Finance Committee special meeting.
However, Mr Lee said the spending would be worthwhile and there would be no corruption.
The committee heard that the government received 3,065 requests last year to help Hongkongers in distress on the mainland, up from 903 in 2003. Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said most concerned the loss of travel documents.
Legislator Lau Kong-wah called on the Immigration Department to set up a branch in Shenzhen, home to many Hongkongers, but Mr Lee said this was not being planned.
'Setting up a branch requires a lot of work from a number of departments. Is assisting Hong Kong residents a sufficient reason to set up an office in Shenzhen?' Mr Lee asked.
He told lawmakers that $2.4 billion would be realised from 325 applications approved for Hong Kong residence under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme introduced in October 2003.
