XN000022-1995-09-26 — Page 9

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Code of Access to Information further extended

Another 15 government departments will become subject to the Code on Access to Information next Monday (October 2).

A government spokesman said today (Tuesday) that the extension of the Code's coverage, from 21 to 36 departments, followed a review of the Code's operation since it was introduced in March.

"Under the Code, anyone can seek information or copies of records held by government departments," he said.

"A department can only refuse to provide copies of records in strictly defined circumstances, which must be explained in the event of a refusal.

"Anyone who thinks that a department's refusal to provide information contravenes the Code can ask for a review, or can complain to the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints."

The spokesman said during the first six months of the Code's operation it had been used to make 258 requests. Of these, 93 per cent had been dealt with in less than 21 days.

The additional departments to come under the Code in October will be the Buildings, Drainage Services, Fire Services, Legal, Planning, Regional Services, Territory Development and Urban Services Departments, the Government Laboratory. the Government Land Transport and Government Property Agencies, the Land Registry, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, Radio Television Hong Kong and the Royal Observatory.

Copies of the Code on Access to Information are available free of charge from any District Office or from any of the government departments to which it applies.

End/Tuesday, September 26, 1995