Hong Kong will allow Macau permanent residents to use e-Channels at local control points and waive the need for those aged 16 or above to furnish arrival and departure declaration forms, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Elaborating on the initiatives for his bureau outlined in the 2008-09 Policy Agenda at the Legislative Council security panel special meeting today, Mr Lee said it is necessary to enhance travel convenience for residents of the two places in the wake of the growing passenger flows in recent years.

"We understand these measures will be reciprocated by the Macau SAR Government. We envisage these measures will be implemented from the second half of 2009," he said, adding legislative amendments and a longer time for consideration may be needed to waive the declaration requirement for those below 16 years.

To facilitate longer stays for Macau visitors in the city, the Government plans to extend the limit for permanent residents from 14 days to 180 days, and from 14 days to 30 days for non-permanent residents.

Two measures will also be introduced next year to enhance the travel convenience of Taiwan residents. The limit of two iPermit applications within 30 days will be liifted, and the period of stay for iPermit and multiple-entry permit holders will be extended from 14 days to 30.

On tackling the problem of psychotropic substance abuse among youths, Mr Lee said the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse will shortly publish a report on holistic and sustainable long-term policies and measures and will consult the panel as soon as possible.

He said various long-term options have been examined to ensure emergency ambulance services will be deployed to help people with genuine needs, while maintaining a high standard of response time to emergency calls.

The options include managing demand for emergency ambulance services, monitoring resources, considering allocation of more resources, reviewing the mode of service and studying the introduction of a medical priority dispatch system.

On admission of talented people, Mr Lee said his bureau will put forward a proposal on how to streamline admission arrangements for the employment of talent and professionals, taking into consideration the Commission on Strategic Development's April recommendations.

To facilitate the reduction of the Frontier Closed Area, he said a secondary boundary fence and new sections of the boundary patrol road with a primary boundary fence will be built.

"We plan to put in place the new Frontier Closed Area in phases so the land can be released for development as soon as possible. The first section from Mai Po to the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the fourth section from Lin Ma Hang to Sha Tau Kok will be completed by the end of 2010," he said.