In response to media enquiries concerning requests made by certain petitioners this (Tuesday) morning at the main entrance of the Central Government Offices for the Chief Executive to receive their petition letters in person, a spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office said the following :

"The Chief Executive listens to the views expressed by the public on issues which are of concern to people's livelihood. He often chats with the petitioners and receives petition letters himself on his arrival at or departure from the office.

"However, much as the Chief Executive wishes to listen to the petitioners himself, his tight schedule sometimes does not permit him to do so," he added. "He has therefore asked his colleagues, usually the policemen who station at his office, to receive the petition letters on his behalf. "

"This system has worked well and is accepted generally by petitioners," the spokesman said.

"The Chief Executive's Office follows up all petition letters, usually in conjunction with relevant policy bureaux and departments," he said.