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In the Legal Department, Mr Mathews said no directorate staff within the Prosecutions or Civil divisions of the department had any relatives at the private Bar.
"Two had relatives working in solicitors' firms but so far as we can ascertain no government legal work has been assigned to these firms," he added.
Mr Mathews said the present briefing out procedures of the Legal Department had developed over the years and had incorporated changes recommended by the ICAC following reviews in 1988, 1990 and 1993, as well as new measures adopted by the Director of Public Prosecutions early this year.
A broadly based Working Party recently set up to review briefing out procedures in the department would also look into the question of briefing out to relatives to see whether further improvements were necessary, he added.
He noted that the existing system in the Legal Department for briefing out cases was designed to prevent unfairness and favouritism.
He said: "Briefing out of standard criminal cases is done on the basis of rotation and availability of counsel on the briefing out lists.
"For all cases of unusual length and complexity, or those which involve fee negotiation, at least two directorate officers are involved in the selection process, with the final approval resting with the Law Officer concerned. "In all cases, a written record is kept on file of the time and date of contact, the name of counsel contacted, the results and the reason for selecting a particular counsel."
End/Wednesday, July 19, 1995
Quality of water from Dongjiang River
Following is a question by the Hon Allen Lee and a reply by the Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.