Press Releases

    The Government received 631 requests for information under the Code on Access to Information in the third quarter of 2007, a spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said today (December 14).

     There have been 23,477 requests received since the introduction of the code in March, 1995. Of these, 20,995 (89%) were met, either in full (20,527 requests) or in part (468 requests). Only 461 requests (2%) were refused, while 1,113 requests (5%) were subsequently withdrawn. The bureaus/departments concerned did not hold the requested information in respect of 812 requests (3%).

     As at September 30, 2007, 53 requests were still being processed by bureaus and departments.

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

     In the third quarter of 2007, the Ombudsman received one complaint relating to the code. The Ombudsman settled the case by offering assistance and clarification to the complainant.

     "The statistics show that government bureaus and departments have been complying with the code to the general satisfaction of members of the public," the spokesman said.

Ends/Friday, December 14, 2007