XN000022-1995-06-07 — Page 23

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"For example, in the Prosecutions Division, we can identify the costs incurred for trial preparation, asset recovery, extradition, advisory work and prosecutions, and so on. Similarly, in the Civil Division, we can identify the costs incurred for civil litigation, mutual legal assistance, construction contracts, advisory work and so on. The costs cover staff costs, other operating costs such as office equipment, as well as costs for briefing out work to outside lawyers. These costs are incurred largely as a result of providing legal services to other Government departments and law enforcement agencies.

"This system allows us to have a more focused view on the cost of the services we provide. It also provides a basis for identifying savings and possible redeployment of resources.

"So we already have a system of accounting which can identify cost. But I have no difficulty with the suggestion that we should look further at that system to see if it can be refined to provide better information as to costs," Mr Mathews said.

On the second amendment proposed by the Hon Emily Lau, Mr Mathews noted that over the past few years, the Department's administration had been strengthened very considerably, starting with the creation in 1989 of the post of Chambers Manager with the specific objective of having a senior professional administrator to manage the Department.

Nevertheless, Mr Mathews said, the suggestion to appoint a senior professional administrator within the Legal Department will be seriously considered having regard to various factors.

He noted that the working party set up to review the briefing out system would report to him by the end of this year. At the same time, the Information Systems Strategy Plan was expected to bring significant improvements to the management of the Department.

"These two major activities represent a considerable part of the work of the Administration Division of the Legal Department. I would like to take these two initiatives into account when considering the possibility of appointing a more senior administrator," he said.

In his speech to the Council today, Mr Mathews also set out the constitutional position concerning prosecutions in Hong Kong.