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In response to the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry by the Chief Executive in Council today (February 15) to inquire into the facts relevant to the allegations made by Professor Bernard Luk Hung-kay on improper interference by government officials with academic freedom or the institutional autonomy of the Hong Kong Institute of Education, the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) issued the following statement:
The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, welcomed the appointment of the Commission of Inquiry to look into the issue. The Secretary for Education and Manpower, the former Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower and other government officers will render full support to the Commission in its inquiry proceedings to ascertain the facts of the case.¡@
"We hope that the Commission will complete its inquiry in accordance with its terms of reference as early as possible so that all parties concerned could revert to their normal duties," Professor Li said.
Ends/Thursday, February 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:22
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