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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Hon Mrs Anson Chan, in presenting the 1998-1999 Annual Report of the Legal Aid Services Council in Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Madam President,

The Legal Aid Services Council is established under the Legal Aid Services Council Ordinance (Cap. 489) to oversee the administration of the legal aid services provided by the Legal Aid Department. Since its establishment in September 1996, the Council has been discharging its statutory functions in a most positive manner, putting forward valuable advice and recommendations in such areas as the establishment of an independent legal aid authority, the monitoring of assigned-out legal aid cases, and the recently completed Legal Aid Policy Review. Details are set out in the 1998-1999 Annual Report of the Legal Aid Services Council presented today.

I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Chairman and Members of the Council.

I also note that the Council has recently announced its "Vision, Mission and Value" statement, and has undertaken to contribute to upholding and enhancing the rule of law by striving to ensure access to justice and equality before the law by people with limited means. We welcome the Council's initiative and look forward to closer cooperation with the Council in improving the administration of legal aid services in Hong Kong. I hope that the community will continue to support fully the Council.

End/Wednesday, February 16, 2000

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