SCS submits report to Chief Executive on Leung Chin-man's case
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     Following are the remarks made by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, in a media session today (August 15) on Mr Leung Chin-man's application for post-service outside work :

     The Chief Executive has just issued a statement on the application from Mr Leung Chin-man to take up post-service outside work with New World China Land Limited.

     Mr Leung's application had been processed in accordance with the prevailing policy on post-service outside work. Two relevant policy bureaux and the Advisory Committee on Post-service Employment of Civil Servants had been consulted, following which I, as the Secretary for the Civil Service, approved the application.

     At the time of processing the application, Mr Leung had ceased active service in the Government for more than two years and his proposed appointment with New World China Limited would involve business only on the Mainland. The relevant policy bureaux and Civil Service Bureau considered that Mr Leung's proposed appointment would not constitute a conflict of interest.

     In my approval of Mr Leung's application, I had imposed four restrictions in addition to the standard ones applicable to post-service outside employment by directorate civil servants.

     Nonetheless, in retrospect, Mr Leung's involvement in the handling of the Hunghom Peninsula development and that one of the subsidiaries of New World Development Company Limited was one of the developers involved had not been considered, and had not been mentioned in the paper submitted to the Advisory Committee for advice.

     The whole matter has caused much public concern, comments and queries. On this, I would like to express my sincere apologies.

     The Chief Executive has requested me to consult the relevant policy bureaux again, with due regard to Mr Leung's involvement in the Hunghom Peninsula development and present the relevant information to the Advisory Committee for further advice. I will then re-assess Mr Leung's application and present a report to the Chief Executive. I will get on with this work in full steam and endeavour to submit the report to the Chief Executive as soon as possible.

     Thank you.

Ends/Friday, August 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:45

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