Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says there is no need to designate a specific body to oversee and co-ordinate the inter-departmental efforts in the collection of fines.

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee's Report at the Legislative Council today, Mr Hui said the Judiciary Administration and concerned departments are taking measures to address the audit and the committee's recommendations on fine collection.

Enhanced measures

Since January, the Judiciary Administration has been providing nine user departments with quarterly reports culled from its Computerised Case & Summons Management System. Police and departments concerned have agreed to lower the threshold for issuing distress warrants and non-payment warrants relating to outstanding traffic fines.

The Immigration Department has since April 15 included defaulters with five or more non-payment warrants in its watch list and intercept them at immigration checkpoints.

The Department of Justice has introduced legislative amendments to enable magistrates to order costs when making orders in respect of moving violation fixed-penalty notices under the Fixed-Penalty (Criminal Proceedings) Ordinance.

Mr Hui said the Government will review the progress of implementation and assess the extent of improvement in one year's time.

Outstanding fees

On the management of outstanding medical fees, he said the Hospital Authority has tightened up the timeframe for follow-up action in its debt recovery process and will take more robust legal action against defaulters.

The authority has also increased the number of staff at its head office responsible for collection of outstanding fees. It will keep the manpower requirement of the fee collection team under review.