***************************************************
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made during a media session by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC, after the meeting of the Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services in the Legislative Council this afternoon (June 27):
Secretary for Justice: The Department of Justice has been discharging its responsibility to advise the Government, in particular the policy bureau on matters that require legal advice, to ensure that legislative proposals would be constitutional and legal.
As regards the replacement mechanism of the Legislative Council proposed by the Administration, the fact that there are different opinions in the community is really quite understandable. As regards the opinion given by the Hong Kong Bar Association, while we of course respect the opinion given by the Bar Association, we, the CMAB and the DOJ, have in fact responded in writing in detail last week. At this juncture, I have nothing to add.
In relation to some of the policies and operational side of things, CMAB has given further response. But I want to emphasise that should there be any more views expressed by the community, the Administration of course will listen very carefully. So far as the Department of Justice is concerned, it is our responsibility as and when necessary to provide all the legal advice.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, June 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:08
NNNN
