Convenient clearance: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said the number of 'e-channels' will be increased to nine from three during Chinese New Year to ease the busy flow of passengers.

About 72,000 passengers have made use of the automated passenger clearance system at Lo Wu border checkpoint since its launch last month, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

The number of so-called 'e-channels' will be increased to nine from three during Chinese New Year.

Speaking on RTHK's talkshow "Dialogues with Secretaries" today, Mr Lee said the e-channels at Lo Wu have handled about 30% of the total passengers. In general, the travelling public's response was positive and the system proved to be effective.

He said as e-channels can save manpower and raise the flexibility of handling the sudden increase of passengers, there is a plan to install a total of 270 e-channels at all cross-border checkpoints by 2006, including the airport.

Mr Lee said when the replacement exercise of smart ID cards is finished in 2007, the bureau will consider expanding the e-channels to cover card holders of residents who have spent less than seven years in Hong Kong.

On recruitment of disciplinary forces, Mr Lee said the working group headed by the Chief Secretary has agreed to recruit an additional 1,500 staff by the end of March, 2006.

Mr Lee said he has requested all disciplinary forces to re-deploy their resources to raise effectiveness, adding the force constantly reviews which part of its work can be handled by clerical staff so as to enhance the use of manpower.

Overseas help mechanism to be reviewed

Mr Lee said after the tsunami in South Asia, the mechanism of aiding Hong Kong residents abroad will be reviewed and improved, adding the existing three- to four-member Immigration Department task force can handle requests for assistance well in ordinary circumstances.

He rebuffed criticism that the Government had been slow to respond to the tsunami disaster.The decision to send staff to Phuket was made the day of the incident, and they arrived the next day among the earliest on-site foreign officials there.

But he said due to the chaotic information flow at the initial stage, more staff had to be sent later. At present, about 30 officers are staying in Thailand to offer assistance to Hong Kong residents.

Taipei mayor not blacklisted

Turning to the failure of Taipei mayor Ma Ying-jeou to get a permit to attend a seminar in Hong Kong, Mr Lee said the Government had not rejected his application and his name had not been blacklisted.