The Security Bureau and Police will study the possibility of reducing the size of the restricted area near the boundary.

Speaking in the Legislative Council today, Secretary for Security Regina Ip said the new initiative will facilitate the economic development of the restricted area.

Mrs Ip also briefed councillors on the fund to be allocated to the security policy area in the coming financial year. More than $24 billion will be allocated to internal security and immigration, slightly lower than current allocation of $24.9 billion.

However, she stressed the reduction will not affect existing basic services.

Mrs Ip said Police will reduce 286 posts, mostly in support and administration. However, it will create 40 posts to strengthen operational front-line capability at the Lok Ma Chau boundary point and in policing the West Rail.

To cope with the increasing demand, the Government will create 74 additional posts to strengthen the emergency ambulance service.

On the Fire Services side, five additional posts for training purposes will be created for the commissioning of a new fire station.

The Government has also earmarked $85 million for the procurement and replacement of fire appliances, ambulances and equipment.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said five policy bureaux have completed their reviews on the number and ranking of Permanent Secretaries. 

The Housing, Planning & Lands, Education & Manpower, and Civil Service Bureaux have decided that their Permanent Secretaries should continue to be pitched at D8, while the Constitutional Affairs, and Security Bureaux have downgraded their Permanent Secretary posts to D6.