Most of the Customs officers recruited in the 2006-07 recruitment exercise will be sent to man the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor Shenzhen Bay Control Point, where clearance services for both Hong Kong and the Mainland sides will be located in the same premises.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Commissioner of Customs & Excise Timothy Tong said the Government hopes the so-called "co-location clearance arrangement" can be implemented by mid-2007.

He believed the arrangement will be essential in facilitating the flow of people and cargo between the two places.

Mr Tong said 705 new Customs staff will be recruited for 2006-07. He said about 10,000 applications have been received for the 69 inspectorate posts and most applicants are degree holders.

Battling Internet piracy

Turning to intellectual property rights protection, the commissioner said the department will join youth uniform groups to encourage youngsters to report intellectual property rights infringement to the department.

Customs had stepped up enforcement against all forms of piracy, and maintained close surveillance on the Internet during the World Cup period, he said. Only a few TV piracy activities involving World Cup matches were discovered.

On the five-day work arrangement, the commissioner said the department's counters offering licence-application services will not operate on Saturdays. He advised people to make their applications through the department's website.