Access to Information

Code on Access to Information

1. The Government exists to serve the community well within available resources. To this end, it recognises the need for the community to be well informed about the Government, the services it provides and the basis for policies and decisions that affect individuals and the community as a whole.
   
   
2. The Code on Access to Information (the Code) defines the scope of information that will be provided, sets out how the information will be made available either routinely or in response to a request, and lays down procedures governing its prompt release.
   
   
3. The Code authorises and requires civil servants, routinely or on request, to provide information unless there are specific reasons for not doing so. These reasons are set out in Part 2 and will normally be referred to if a request for information is refused.
   
   
4. Requests for information will be handled as promptly and helpfully as possible and if necessary, members of the public may be approached to clarify their requests or the requests may be directed to the most appropriate department. Procedures will be kept as simple as possible.
   
   
5. The Code also sets out procedures for review or complaint if a member of the public considers that the provisions of the Code have not been properly applied.
   
   
6. The Code can be accessed at http://www.access.gov.hk.
   
   
7. The Senior Executive Officer (Administration) is designated as the Access to Information Officer of this department. He/She is responsible for ensuring that requests for access to information under the Code on Access to Information are properly dealt with in accordance with the specified procedures.
   
   
8. Requests for information or records held by the department may be made by letter or application form (Download Application form for Access to Information) which is available at the Departmental Administration Division of this department or at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of all District Offices. Applications should be addressed to:
   
   Access to Information Officer
   Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service
   and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service
   Room 701, 7/F, Tower Two, Lippo Centre,
   89 Queensway,
   Central, Hong Kong
   
   
9. The following information is available for public inspection at the Departmental Administration Division of this department :
   1. An organization chart & distribution of business of this department (in Chinese and English)
   2. Programme area of this department (in Chinese and English)
   3. A list of records by category kept by the department (in Chinese and English)
   4. A list of information published or made available to the public (in Chinese and English)
   5. A copy of the Code on Access to Information (in Chinese and English)
   6. A copy of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application of the Code on Access to Information (in English)
   7. A set of administrative procedures for handling requests for information under the Code (in English and Chinese)
10. Other than publications/information which are available free of charge, or at a cost specified, the following photocopying charge will be levied unless otherwise provided by enactment or approved by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury:
    

    black and white on A3 size paper	HK$1.6 per photocopy
    black and white on A4 size paper	HK$1.5 per photocopy
    	(Note: The above charge is subject to revision from time to time)

11. For enquiries, please contact our Access to Information Officer at 2912 8520 during office hours.