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Statistics on the Code on Access to Information

     The Government received a total of 528 requests for information under the Code on Access to Information in the first quarter of 2011, a spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said today (June 20).

     The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of March 2011 amounted to 30,898. Of these, 1,730 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 1,251 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information. As at March 31, 2011, 86 requests were still being processed by bureaux and departments.

     Among the 27,831 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments responded to, 27,167 requests (98%) were met, either in full (26,530 requests) or in part (637 requests). 664 requests (2%) were refused.

     Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the Code may request the matter be reviewed. He/she may also lodge a complaint with The Ombudsman.

     In the first quarter of 2011, The Ombudsman received seven complaints relating to requests for information.
    
     The Ombudsman completed investigation of 12 complaint cases in this quarter. Of these 12 completed cases, nine were concluded and settled after inquiries by The Ombudsman. The Ombudsman decided not to conduct investigation into other three cases having considered the circumstances of the cases. As at March 31, The Ombudsman was still investigating seven complaint cases.

     "The statistics show that Government bureaux and departments have been complying with the Code to the general satisfaction of members of the public," the spokesman said.

Ends/Monday, June 20, 2011