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The Chief Executive in Council today (March 20) appointed the Honourable Mr Justice Yeung, Justice of Appeal of the High Court, as Commissioner and Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on allegations relating to the Hong Kong Institute of Education.
Mr Justice Yeung was appointed in substitution for the Honourable Mr Justice Woo, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, who has recused himself from the Inquiry.
The new Commissioner and Chairman is expected to start work on the Inquiry after he has finished hearing the court case he is currently handling, and the earliest possible time for him to do so will be Thursday. The Commission is still working towards the same timeline as it was first appointed. It is envisaged that the Commission will submit its report to the Chief Executive as originally scheduled.
The terms of reference of the Commission, which functions independently, and its status as a judicial proceeding appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance (Cap. 86) remain unchanged.
Commenting on the appointment, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, said that Mr Justice Yeung was appointed for his long and distinguished judicial service.
"We have full confidence that, together with Mr Lee Jark-pui, Mr Justice Yeung will conduct the inquiry in a completely fair and impartial manner," Mr Tsang said.
Ends/Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:14
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