XN000022-1996-10-09 — Page 29

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COMAC annual report tabled

Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary, the Hon Anson Chan, in tabling the Government Minute in response to COMAC's Eighth Annual Report in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

When COMAC's Eighth Annual Report was presented to the Council on 10 July, the Administration indicated that a Government Minute would be prepared in three months' time to outline the action that the Government has taken or proposes to take in response to the recommendations made by COMAC in relation to the cases listed in his annual report. This Government Minute is tabled today.

The Government Minute covers all the complaint cases which COMAC has investigated, as well as the three investigation cases which he initiated himself in 1995-96. In the majority of the cases, the branches and departments concerned have accepted and followed up all of COMAC's recommendations. There are, however, a few cases in which COMAC's recommended measures have not been implemented or have had to be modified because of operational constraints or other practical considerations. The reasons for these are set out in the Minute.

Members will note that the Government Minute also contains the follow-up action taken on COMAC's recommendations by two public bodies, the Hospital Authority and the MTRC. These are the only two public bodies in respect of which COMAC investigated complaints during the year. Although they are not part of the Administration, they recognise their accountability to the public and have provided us with the information relating to their follow up action on COMAC's recommendations.

I am happy to read in the latest issue of the COMAC News that, I quote, "this [COMAC's] Office has been much impressed by the positive and supportive attitude and the receptive stance of the management of the organisations concerned towards the work and services of this Office." It is clearly in the public interest that there should be a harmonious working relationship between the COMAC's Office and the organisations under his jurisdiction. We in the Administration will do our best to ensure that this continues to be the case.

If any Member wishes to have further clarification on any point in the Minute, the Administration would be happy to provide it.

End