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Following is the transcript of the remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, at the press conference on the appointment of Under Secretaries held at the ISD press conference room today (October 22):
Reporter: Mr Lam, with the search complicated by the fact that these contracts were only built on more than two years, it might likely become difficult to get people from the private sector. And also, it is the fact that you again … into the pool of present or retired civil servants, an indication that … a level of competence with civil servants that you don't get from the private sector.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I would say that as in the last year, we have considered a spectrum of potential candidates for appointment as Under Secretaries this time round. In 2008, we made appointments for Under Secretaries and Political Assistants positions. The candidates appointed covered people from the academia, among professionals, former civil servants and from among the media. This time round we also considered a full spectrum of possibilities. But the fact remains that the work of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and also that of the Security Bureau involve a lot of complex policy issues, much of that with considerable Basic Law and legal implications. And therefore, colleagues, candidates who have a civil service background obviously have a competitive edge. And this is the result of the latest recruitment exercise. That is what it is.
Reporter: My second question is: was it made more difficult to draw people of the right stature in the private sector?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I would say that if you start with a full five-year term, then obviously the length of tenure will not be that much of a consideration to people who are considering taking up these positions. The shorter the tenure becomes, the higher the challenge. But the fact that we have been able to recruit two very suitable candidates underlines the fact that this system is viable and it stands to serve the people of Hong Kong.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, October 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:48
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