CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Simultaneous interpretation services are provided by its Simultaneous Interpreters at official meetings when necessary.
The division also provides research and support services. It has been promoting the wider use of Chinese in the Civil Service through a wide range of activities including seminars and lectures on Chinese language and culture. It runs a Helpdesk which answers telephone enquiries from civil servants on the use of official languages. The division develops writing aids and reference materials, such as guidebooks on official Chinese writing and English-Chinese glossaries of terms commonly used in government departments. In order to arouse the interest of civil servants in Chinese and English, it publishes a quarterly newsletter entitled Word Power. These publications and reference materials can be accessed at the Civil Service Bureau's home page.
Government Records Service
The Government Records Service (GRS) manages government records and provides a full range of records and archival management services.
The GRS develops and oversees the implementation of the government records management system. It operates two Records Centres as central repositories for storage of inactive government records. In light of the growing demand for electronic records management, a new office was established in October 2003 in support of new government initiatives and practices in this area.
The GRS also contributes to the protection of Hong Kong's archival heritage through proper preservation and conservation of government archival holdings. Its microfilm centre, being an ISO 9001:2000 certified unit, provides microfilm services for government agencies to an international standard.
In maintaining one of the largest local sources of information for historical and other studies relating to Hong Kong, the GRS appraises and acquires records of enduring value from government and private sources and makes them available for public access through its Central Preservation Library for Government Publications and online services. A wealth of archival records is kept, including government publications, reports, newspapers, printed materials and monographs on Hong Kong. Members of the public may visit the purpose-built Hong Kong Public Records Building in Kwun Tong or use the online service at http://www.grs.gov.hk.
Office of The Ombudsman
The Office of The Ombudsman is an independent statutory authority, set up in 1989 under The Ombudsman Ordinance, to provide an avenue for reports and investigation of grievances arising from administrative acts or omissions, decisions and recommendations.
Since December 2001, the Office has been established as a corporation sole, thus severing linkage with the Administration. It has set up its administrative systems and recruits contract staff on its own remuneration packages. For longer-term economy, it is now accommodated at its purchased permanent office in Sheung Wan.
Directly responsible to the Chief Executive, The Ombudsman serves as the community's monitor on government departments and public bodies specified in the schedule to the ordinance. The aim is to ensure that:
bureaucratic constraints do not interfere with administrative fairness;
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