XN000022-1996-06-10 — Page 4

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"This is the result of the Government's efforts to bring better services to our public and our clients world-wide, using up-to-date technology.

The Financial Secretary said it was, in comparative terms, reasonably cheap to provide the information service through the Internet, and to achieve an unrivalled level of transparency of Government activities generally.

He said the Government is looking at ways to further improve its service on the Internet.

"We have to remember that the very great majority of our customers - and often those in greatest need - don't have access to the Net."

"A revolution could take place in provision of Government services if we were in a position to accept input and questions through the Internet to the same extent that we can use the Net to put information out."

In doing so, Mr Tsang, said the Government would take into account the need to protect the security of personal information and the network capacity.

"I think it's important for the sake of public trust in us that we shouldn't encourage the public and business to entrust confidences to us until we can offer a strong assurance of security for their information."

"The system however is fast improving. I am sure that the day will come, not too far away, when we can feel comfortable about Internet security."

Regarding the infrastructure to support Internet services, Mr Tsang said Hong Kong boast one of the best telecommunications infrastructures in the world.

"Our telecommunications policies seek to ensure that our infrastructure continues to improve and anticipates developments such as the Internet."

"That is why we have as a matter of policy taken great strides in recent years in liberalising our telecommunication sector."

Mr Tsang said a consultation exercise is being conducted to see how best to structure prices for local telephone services in Hong Kong.

"This should let us see the way forward to providing an improved base for Internet services, both by the Government and by the private sector."

"We must start thinking about making Internet terminals available not only through schools and universities, but also libraries and public enquiry centres."