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Following are the remarks made by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, in a media session today (December 8) on the report released by the Legislative Council Select Committee to Inquire into Matters Relating to the Post-service Work of Mr Leung Chin-man:
The Legislative Council Select Committee to Inquire into Matters Relating to the Post-service Work of Mr Leung Chin-man (Select Committee) has just released its report. The Administration will study the content and recommendations of the report in detail. I would now like to make a few initial comments on the report.
First, I would like to thank the Select Committee Chairman, the Honourable Li Fung-ying, and Members of the Select Committee for their efforts in conducting the inquiry.
As Secretary for the Civil Service, I approved Mr Leung's application to take up post-service employment with New World China Land Limited. For all the public concerns and doubts raised, I hold myself accountable and accept responsibility. I would like to convey my sincere apologies to the public again.
When vetting Mr Leung's application, my colleagues and I failed to take into account Mr Leung's involvement in the Hunghom Peninsula development during his service as Permanent Secretary for Housing and Director of Housing. This reflects that we had not considered all the relevant facts. There was inadequacy. Nevertheless, I believe that all the colleagues involved in vetting Mr Leung's application did act in good faith and in an impartial manner.
I also wish to point out that the Advisory Committee on Post-service Employment of Civil Servants had fully discharged its responsibilities when it offered its advice to me on Mr Leung's application on the basis of the information provided by the Civil Service Bureau.
This incident shows that the existing control regime may be improved. The Select Committee and the independent Review Committee appointed by the Chief Executive have, in their separate reports, made recommendations on the existing regime governing the taking up of post-service work by directorate civil servants. We will study and consider all the recommendations, with a view to putting in place an improved regime as soon as possible.
Ends/Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:19
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