Statistics on Code on Access to Information for third quarter of 2019
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The total number of requests received since the introduction of the Code in March 1995 and up to the end of September 2019 amounted to 75,887. Of these, 4,406 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 3,743 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information or cannot confirm or deny the existence of information. As at September 30, 2019, 345 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.
Among the 67,393 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments had responded to, 65,273 requests (96.9 per cent) were met, either in full (63,602 requests) or in part (1,671 requests), and 2,120 requests (3.1 per cent) were refused.
Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the response of a bureau/department under the Code may request that the matter be reviewed. He or she may also lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.
In the third quarter of 2019, the Ombudsman received 21 complaints relating to requests for information. In this quarter, the Ombudsman concluded 27 complaints, among which four were partially substantiated, three were unsubstantiated, 15 were settled after inquiries by the Ombudsman, and five were not pursued by the Ombudsman or were outside the Ombudsman's jurisdiction. As at September 30, 2019, the Ombudsman's investigations on 22 complaints were ongoing.
"The Code has provided an effective framework for the public to seek access to information held by the Government," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, April 9, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:00
Issued at HKT 16:00
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