Statistics on Code on Access to Information for third quarter of 2017
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The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of September 2017 amounted to 59,774. Of these, 3,498 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 2,865 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information. As at September 30, 2017, 266 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.
Among the 53,145 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments had responded to, 51,897 requests (97.7 per cent) were met, either in full (50,735 requests) or in part (1,162 requests), and 1,248 requests (2.3 per cent) were refused.
Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the Code may request that the matter be reviewed. He or she may also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.
In the third quarter of 2017, the Ombudsman received 24 complaints relating to requests for information. In this quarter, the Ombudsman concluded 17 complaints, among which one was substantiated, 13 were settled after inquiries by the Ombudsman, and three were not pursued by the Ombudsman or outside the Ombudsman's jurisdiction. As at September 30, 2017, the Ombudsman's investigations on 31 complaints were ongoing.
"The Code has provided an effective framework for the public to seek access to information held by the Government," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, March 9, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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