XN000022-1995-07-25 — Page 6

(ii)

5 -

As regards the provisions on treason and sedition in the Crimes Ordinance and the provision on sedition in the Post Office Ordinance our aim is to ensure that we have legislation which can continue in force after 1997 and is consistent with the Bill of Rights Ordinance and the Basic Law. Again, proposals have been put to the Chinese for consultation which are wholly consistent with the Bill of Rights Ordinance.

(iii) The Law Reform Commission is examining the very complex issues of

the interception of telecommunications and mail. We expect its report in 1996. The Administration will wish to study carefully the report's recommendations before deciding what changes, if any, need to be made to our existing laws.

The review of laws is not the only action in hand. To enhance understanding of public policies we have introduced an administrative code which provides a practical and effective access to information system, which is well suited to Hong Kong and no less effective than a statutory regime. Tomorrow, Members will also resume the second reading on the Personal Data (Privacy) Bill in which every care has been taken to ensure proper safeguards for the media including amendments which go well beyond the safeguards recommended by the Law Reform Commission.

T

Our critics seem only capable of singing one tune that press freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong are under threat from old and repressive laws. After tomorrow, however, we will have dealt with 80 per cent of the laws covered by the exercise. We have announced our plans for the remainder. It is time for our critics to change their tune and to give due recognition to the substantial progress that has been made.

End/Tuesday, July 25, 1995