WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1993
"HOWEVER, WE HAVE FOUND THAT A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS ARE EITHER OBSOLETE OR SEEM TO BE AT ODDS WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE AND WE WILL PROPOSE THAT THEY BE REPEALED OR AMENDED AS SOON AS THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME ALLOWS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER PRISON RULES OF THE PRISON ORDINANCE, CAP. 234, IT IS A DISCIPLINARY OFFENCE FOR A CORRECTIONAL SERVICES OFFICER TO COMMUNICATE TO THE PRESS WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY ANY INFORMATION. WE PROPOSE TO REPEAL THIS PROVISION BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE TO SINGLE OUT DISCLOSURE TO THE PRESS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"
AS REGARDS ACCESS TO PERSONAL DATA, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S PRIVACY SUB-COMMITTEE WAS LOOKING INTO A NUMBER OF MATTERS CONCERNING PRIVACY, INCLUDING QUESTIONS OF DATA PROTECTION AND ACCESS TO PERSONAL RECORDS AND THE SUB-COMMITTEE - HAS ISSUED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
AS
AN INTERIM MEASURE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE INTRODUCED NEXT MONTH то ALLOW PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS TO CHECK PERSONAL DATA PROVIDED BY THEM AND HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"CLEARLY WE WILL HAVE TO RETURN AGAIN TO THIS SUBJECT IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SUB-COMMITTEE'S PROPOSALS" THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
·
ON THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER LEGISLATION WAS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN CERAIN AREAS SUCH AS DATA PROTECTION AND ACCESS TO PERSONAL RECORDS THE LEGISLATIVE ROUTE MAY WELL BE FOLLOWED,
IN ADDITION IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT ΤΟ CONSIDER LOCALISING THE EXISTING OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS BEFORE 1997. BUT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT CONVINCED THAT AN ALL EMBRACING FREEDOM INFORMATION ORDINANCE WAS THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
OF
"THE REVIEW HAS ALSO IDENTIFIED CERTAIN MEASURES WHICH MAY BE IMPLEMENTED ΤΟ IMPROVE ACCESS TO OFFICIAL INFORMATION. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE THE PUBLICATION OF A DIRECTORY ON THE ORGANISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED FILES OLDER THAN 30 YEARS" HE SAID. J
INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES IS ALREADY AVAILABLE TO
THE PUBLIC IN MANY FORMS.
ΤΟ ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE GOVERNMENT OPERATES, A DIRECTORY ON THE ORGANISATION OF BUSINESS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION'S PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS.
MAJOR DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAVE FREQUENT CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC WILL PROVIDE SIMILAR DIRECTORIES AT THEIR ENQUIRY OR COUNTERS.
RECEPTION
"THESE DEPARTMENTS