| Statistics on the Code on Access to Information |
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The Government received 689 requests for information under the Code on Access to Information in the fourth quarter of 2007, a spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau said today (April 18). The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 is 24,166. Of these, 21,617 requests (89%) were met, either in full (21,141 requests) or in part (476 requests). A total of 476 requests (2%) were refused, while 1,143 requests (5%) were subsequently withdrawn. The bureaus/departments concerned did not hold the requested information in respect of 823 requests (3%). As at December 31, 2007, 64 requests were still being processed by bureaux and departments. Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the code may request the matter be reviewed. They may also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Ombudsman received four complaints relating to the code which were being investigated by the Ombudsman. "The statistics show that Government bureaus and departments have been complying with the code to the general satisfaction of the public," the spokesman said. Ends/Friday, April 18, 2008 |