XN000022-1996-03-27 — Page 40

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(b)

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Home Affairs Branch

and Branch is actively promoting awareness understanding of the Ordinance among data users, in both the private and public sectors. In October 1995 a leaflet was produced introducing the key provisions of the Ordinance to data users. To date, some 60,000 copies of this leaflet have been distributed. A poster campaign promoting compliance with the data protection principles of the Ordinance was launched on 17 February 1996 and some 60,000 copies of the posters have been distributed up to the present time. A detailed guide for data users on the requirements of the Ordinance with respect to data subject access and correction has also recently been produced. Distribution of the guide began on 20 March 1996. Other such material will be produced as necessary to assist data users to comply with the Ordinance. Home Affairs Branch is also giving guidance on compliance with the Ordinance in response to specific enquiries from data users.

Principle 3 in Schedule 1 of the Ordinance requires that, unless the data subject has consented otherwise, personal data shall only be used for the purpose for which the data was collected or a directly related purpose. Clearly, one of the purposes for collecting the personal data in the Land Registry, like any other public register, is in order that members of the public may search through the data. Hence, having a land search procedure is not in itself a contravention of the Ordinance.

Dog keeping rules in public housing estates

Following is a question by the Hon Li Wah-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong. in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to a recent unfortunate incident in which an infant girl was bitten to death by a dog in a public housing estate, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

of the estimated number of public housing estate tenants who are in breach of the rule stipulated in the tenancy agreement forbidding the keeping of dogs;

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