CONFIDENTIAL
16
075300
MDLIAN 1656
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 441
OF 190912Z MARCH 93
بها
£661 ?
AMISTA
HKCC 246/1
NOT ON FICE
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Article XIX
HONG KONG TELNO 409 : AT THE PART I MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HELD ON 16 MARCH, THE COUNCIL ADVISED AND THE GOVERNOR ORDERED THAT -
(MEMORANDUM XCC (93)34 REFERS)
(A)
THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE GIVEN GREATER ACCESS TO OFFICIAL INFORMATION. THIS SHOULD GENERALLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS, ALTHOUGH SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY:
(B) LAWS WHICH HAVE AN IMPACT ON PRESS FREEDOM AND WHICH ARE EITHER OBSOLETE OR MAY BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE SHOULD BE REPEALED OR AMENDED AS SOON AS THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME ALLOWS:
(C) THE PUBLIC RECORDS (ACCESS) RULES SHOULD BE RELAXED TO ALLOW PUBLIC ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED RECORDS HELD IN THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE (PRO) 30 YEARS AFTER THEIR CLOSURE BUT WITH THE PROVISION FOR A LONGER CLOSED PERIOD FOR SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS:
(D) LOCALISATION OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT SHOULD BE GIVEN A HIGH PRIORITY IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME:
(E) PENDING THE ADOPTION OF A GENERAL POLICY AND/OR LEGISLATION ON DATA PROTECTION AND ACCESS TO PERSONAL RECORDS IN THE LIGHT OF THE OUTCOME OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON PRIVACY, ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO ALLOW INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PERSONAL DATA THEY HAVE SUPPLIED TO GOVERNMENT: AND
(F) A DIRECTORY ON THE STRUCTURE AND DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE PUBLISHED TO FACILITATE GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE GOVERNMENT DECISION MAKING PROCESS.
PATTEN
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