The Audit Commission noted the press release issued yesterday (April 28) night by the Immigration Department in response to Chapter 1 "Management of birth, death and marriage registrations" of Report No. 76 of the Director of Audit. 
 
     According to the requirements set out in the Government’s Financial Circular No. 2/2020:
 
     "During the period between the tabling of the report in Legislative Council and the public hearings, it has been agreed between the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Administration that any public debate on the issues to be further investigated should be avoided by both sides as far as possible. This will ensure that the PAC can carry out public hearings smoothly and in a fair manner. To this end, Heads of the bureaux, departments and/or public organisations involved and their staff should refrain from initiating any publicity to counter the Audit findings."
 
     In compliance with the requirements, the Audit Commission does not comment in public on matters relating to the audit reports.

Ends/Thursday, April 29, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:50

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