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Constitution and Administration
practices. It operates two records centres for storage of inactive government records and an ISO 9001:2008 certified microfilm centre providing microfilming services for bureaus and departments.
To meet the growing need for proper management of electronic records, GRS is developing further an electronic record-keeping system to drive electronic records management in the government. GRS also provides records management support and assistance to bureaus and departments to develop or adopt an electronic record-keeping system.
GRS appraises, acquires, preserves and provides access to government records of enduring value. Through its public programme, reference service and on-line educational resources, GRS encourages understanding, use and protection of Hong Kong's documentary heritage. Its Central Preservation Library for Government Publications contains a wealth of government publications for research and study of Hong Kong. Members of the public can visit the purpose- built archival facilities in the Hong Kong Public Records Building in Kwun Tong or use its online service at www.grs.gov.hk to search archival records or browse the on-line exhibitions and highlights of holdings, etc.
The Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is established under The Ombudsman Ordinance as a corporation sole to redress grievances arising from maladministration in the public sector through independent and impartial investigations to improve the standard of public administration.
Directly responsible to the Chief Executive, the Ombudsman serves as the community's monitor on government departments and 23 major public bodies specified in a schedule to the ordinance to ensure:
• bureaucratic constraints do not interfere with administrative fairness;
• public authorities are readily accessible to the public;
• abuse of power is prevented;
⚫ wrongs are righted;
• facts are pointed out when public officers are unjustly accused;
⚫ human rights are protected; and
⚫ the public sector continues to improve its quality, transparency and efficiency.
The Hong Kong Police Force and the Independent Commission Against Corruption are two exceptions to this jurisdiction. However, the Ombudsman is empowered to investigate complaints of non-compliance with the Code on Access to information against all government departments, including these two bodies.
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