Statistics on Code on Access to Information for first quarter of 2025
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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 March 2025 amounted to 136 866. Of these, 9 166 requests were subsequently withdrawn by the requestors and 6 732 requests covered cases in which the bureaux/departments concerned did not hold the requested information or cannot confirm or deny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 March 31, 2025, 714 requests were still being processed by bureaux/departments.
Among the 120 254 requests which covered information held by bureaux/departments and which the bureaux/departments had responded to, 116 840 requests (97.2 per cent) were met, either in full (113 672 requests) or in part (3 168 requests), and 3 414 requests (2.8 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 first quarter of 2025, the Ombudsman received six complaints relating to requests for information. In this quarter, the Ombudsman concluded 11 complaints, among which one was concluded by inquiries (with inadequacies found), and 10 were assessed and closed. As at March 31, 2025, the Ombudsman's investigation on one complaint was ongoing.
"The Code has provided an effective framework for the public to seek access to information held by the Government," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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