LCQ11: Consultants hired by the Government
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     Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, in the Legislative Council today (December 14):

Question:

     Will the Government inform this Council of the number of consultants hired by the offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice ("offices of the Secretaries"), policy bureaux and government departments within their purview to assist their work and the expenditure incurred in each of the past 10 years, with a detailed breakdown by year and office of the Secretaries, policy bureau and government department?

Reply:

President,

     We do not have readily available information on the number of consultants hired by offices of the Secretaries, policy bureaux and government departments within their purview to assist their work and the expenditure incurred. If 10 years' information is to be collected from these government offices, substantial resources and much time would be required. Considering the time available, we have collated from various government offices the relevant information for each of the past three years as per Annex.

Ends/Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:00

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