XN000022-1994-06-16 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1994

IN ARRIVING AT THE DECISION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A CODE OF PRACTICE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXAMINED VARIOUS OPTIONS, HE SAID.

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WE NEED TO GATHER EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING GREATER PUBL 10 ACCESS TO INFORMATION. A FLEXIBLE AND INCREMENTAL APPROACH IS BEST- SUITED FOR OUR PURPOSE.

"AN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF PRACTICE WILL ENABLE EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRACTICABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

"THIS APPROACA WILL PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE TO DEVELOP POLICY, PRACTICES AND CULTURE MANAGEABLY, TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF EXISTING PRACTICES HERE AND ELSEWHERE.

"WE BELIEVE THAT THIS ADMINISTKATIVE APPROACH IS APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG AT THIS JUNCTURE, HE SAID.

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MR SUEN SAID AS A FIRST STEP, IMMEDIATE ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN TO DEVELOP A CODE. "WE AIM TO PRODUCE THE CODE OF PRACTICE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR."

"WE WILL THEN CONDUCT A PILOT SCHEME IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, COVERING A WIDE SPECTRUM OF GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO TEST THE SYSTEM. THE CODE WILL BE MODIFIED AND REF INED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED DURING THE PILOT SCHEME, HE ADDED.

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MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT EXTENSION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE OTHER PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASES.

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"DETAILS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME WILL HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT VERY CAREFULLY. THERE WILL BE A NEED TO STUDY HOW THE CODE BR IMPLEMENTED IN EACH BRANCH AND DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT,

"WE WILL AIM TO EXTEND THE CODE THROUGHOUT THE DURING 1996. THIS IS AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME, BUT IF AT ALL WE WILL TRY TO COMPLETE THE WORK IN A SHORTER PERIOD.

"CONSIDERATION WILL THEN BE GIVEN TO EXTENDING PUBLIC BODIES," HE SAID.

GOVERNMENT POSSIBLE,

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ON THE CODE ITSELF, MR SUEN SAID IT WILL SET OUT CLEARLY THE TYPES OF INFORMATION TO WHICH THE PUBLIC MAY HAVE ACCESS, THE MEANS BY WHICH A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC CAN GAIN ACCESS TO SUCH INFORMATION, AND THE TIMEFRAME WITHIN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.

"ALTHOUGH WE WORK ON THE GENERAL PRESUMPTION IN FAVOUR OF THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION, DUE REGARD MUST BE GIVEN TO AREAS COVERING THE LIKES OF PERSONAL PRIVACY AND OMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION.

"IT WILL, THEREFORE, BE NECESSARY TO SET OUT CATEGORIES OF EXEMPTION ΤΟ ENSURE APPROPRIATE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.

SENSITIVE

/MR SUEN