ENG-2002 — Page 51

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

holdings is held at the purpose-built Hong Kong Public Records Building in Kwun Tong.

With a strong public focus, the PRO also helps promote knowledge, appreciation and use of local documentary heritage and has been working diligently to promote its archival holdings and services. An automated system for the management of archival records has been implemented since 1997 to assist members of the public in searching, identifying and accessing the archival resources. In January 2001, the PRO established the Central Preservation Library for Government Publications to preserve and provide one-stop access to the valuable published materials of the Government. To further enhance public services, an integrated information access system is being installed to offer efficient online and Internet access to selected archival records and library materials in 2003. Good progress has also been made in conducting the Public Education and Publicity Programme under which exhibitions, seminars, visits and historical research competitions are organised.

Office of The Ombudsman

The Office of The Ombudsman is an independent statutory authority, set up in 1989 under The Ombudsman Ordinance, to provide an avenue for reports and investigation of grievances arising from administrative acts or omissions, decisions and recommendations.

Since December 2001, the Office has been established as a corporation sole, thus severing linkage with the Administration. The Office has set up its administrative systems and recruits contract staff on its own remuneration packages. For longer-term economy, it has purchased and moved into permanent office accommodation in Sheung Wan.

Directly responsible to the Chief Executive, The Ombudsman serves as the community's monitor on government departments and public bodies specified in the schedule to the ordinance. The aim is to ensure that:

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bureaucratic constraints do not interfere with administrative fairness;

public authorities are readily accessible to the public; abuse of power is prevented;

wrongs are righted; facts are pointed out when public officers are unjustly accused;

human rights are protected; and

the public sector continues to improve its quality, transparency and efficiency. Two exceptions to the monitoring system are the Hong Kong Police Force and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, both of which have their own separate body for dealing with public complaints.

The 17 major public organisations in the schedule are: the Airport Authority, Employees Retraining Board, Equal Opportunities Commission, Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hong Kong Sports Development Board, Hospital Authority, Kowloon- Canton Railway Corporation, Legislative Council Secretariat, Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Securities and Futures Commission, Urban Renewal Authority and the Vocational Training Council.

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