Index Page Replies to Initial Written Questions Raised by Finance

Index Page

Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21

Director of Bureau : Director of Administration Session No. : 6 File Name : CSO-2-e1.doc

Reply Serial Question Name of Member Head Programme No. Serial No. CSO001 2671 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO002 1468 CHAN Chun-ying 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO003 2589 CHAN Tanya 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO004 2592 CHAN Tanya 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO005 2593 CHAN Tanya 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO006 2595 CHAN Tanya 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO007 2596 CHAN Tanya 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO008 0142 CHENG Chung-tai 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO009 0143 CHENG Chung-tai 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO010 0793 CHENG Chung-tai 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO011 3173 CHEUNG Chiu- 142 - hung, Fernando CSO012 1596 HO Kwan-yiu, 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing Junius CSO013 1597 HO Kwan-yiu, 142 (2) Government Records Junius Service CSO014 1598 HO Kwan-yiu, 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- Junius ordination Office CSO015 2076 HO Kwan-yiu, 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Junius Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO016 0184 IP Kin-yuen 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO017 3105 KWOK Ka-ki 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO018 2726 KWOK Wing-hang, 142 - Dennis CSO019 2768 KWOK Wing-hang, 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing Dennis CSO020 1841 LAU Ip-keung, 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- Kenneth ordination Office CSO021 2614 LEUNG Kenneth 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing Reply Serial Question Name of Member Head Programme No. Serial No. CSO022 2661 LEUNG Kenneth 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO023 2902 LIAO Cheung-kong, 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- Martin ordination Office CSO024 2246 MA Fung-kwok 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO025 2217 MO Claudia 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO026 2228 MO Claudia 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO027 0758 MOK Charles Peter 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO028 0395 NG Wing-ka, Jimmy 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO029 2969 QUAT Elizabeth 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO030 1741 TAM Man-ho, 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing Jeremy CSO031 0449 TO Kun-sun, James 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO032 2002 TO Kun-sun, James 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO033 2471 TSE Wai-chun, Paul 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO034 1227 WONG Kwok-kin 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO035 2550 WONG Pik-wan, 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- Helena ordination Office CSO036 2551 WONG Pik-wan, 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing Helena CSO037 0478 WU Chi-wai 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO038 0479 WU Chi-wai 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO039 1497 YUNG Hoi-yan 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO040 0590 CHOW Ho-ding, 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Holden Applications CSO041 2761 KWOK Wing-hang, 94 (3) Support Services Dennis CSO042 1165 LAM Kin-fung, 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Jeffrey Applications CSO043 2000 TO Kun-sun, James 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications CSO044 2003 TO Kun-sun, James 94 (2) Litigation Services CSO045 2483 TSE Wai-chun, Paul 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications CSO046 3857 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO047 3862 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (2) Government Records Service Reply Serial Question Name of Member Head Programme No. Serial No. CSO048 3864 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO049 3867 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO050 3871 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO051 3876 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (4) Protocol Division CSO052 3879 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (4) Protocol Division CSO053 3880 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO054 3887 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO055 3975 CHAN Chi-chuen 142 - CSO056 4376 CHAN Tanya 142 - CSO057 4843 CHAN Tanya 142 - CSO058 4894 CHAN Tanya 142 - CSO059 6413 CHAN Tanya 142 - CSO060 5466 CHEUNG Chiu- 142 (2) Government Records hung, Fernando Service CSO061 5467 CHEUNG Chiu- 142 - hung, Fernando CSO062 5469 CHEUNG Chiu- 142 - hung, Fernando CSO063 6820 CHEUNG Chiu- 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing hung, Fernando CSO064 4508 KWOK Ka-ki 142 - CSO065 5114 KWOK Ka-ki 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO066 6123 KWOK Wing-hang, 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- Dennis ordination Office CSO067 3691 LEUNG Mei-fun, 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Priscilla Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO068 4410 MO Claudia 142 (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council CSO069 4439 MO Claudia 142 - CSO070 6060 MO Claudia 142 - CSO071 3616 MOK Charles Peter 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO072 4024 QUAT Elizabeth 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO073 4025 QUAT Elizabeth 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO074 4026 QUAT Elizabeth 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO075 4027 QUAT Elizabeth 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO076 6838 SHIU Ka-fai 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO077 4049 WONG Ting-kwong 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office Reply Serial Question Name of Member Head Programme No. Serial No. CSO078 4050 WONG Ting-kwong 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO079 4051 WONG Ting-kwong 142 (2) Government Records Service CSO080 6841 WU Chi-wai 142 (3) CSO-Administration Wing CSO081 6418 YEUNG Alvin 142 (1) Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office CSO082 4869 CHAN Tanya 94 - CSO083 5324 CHEUNG Chiu- 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid hung, Fernando Applications CSO084 5325 CHEUNG Chiu- 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid hung, Fernando Applications CSO085 5327 CHEUNG Chiu- 94 (2) Litigation Services hung, Fernando CSO086 5328 CHEUNG Chiu- 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid hung, Fernando Applications CSO087 5329 CHEUNG Chiu- 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid hung, Fernando Applications CSO088 5330 CHEUNG Chiu- 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid hung, Fernando Applications CSO089 4939 KWOK Ka-ki 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications (2) Litigation Services CSO090 3727 MA Fung-kwok 94 - CSO091 6078 MO Claudia 94 - CSO092 4485 WAN Siu-kin, 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Andrew Applications CSO093 4486 WAN Siu-kin, 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Andrew Applications CSO094 4487 WAN Siu-kin, 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Andrew Applications CSO095 4488 WAN Siu-kin, 94 (1) Processing of Legal Aid Andrew Applications

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO001 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2671)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Government mentioned in the explanatory notes of the indicators under this Programme that a special round of applications under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) was launched in November 2019 to support research studies on topics relating to the underlying causes of the recent social incidents, as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to the deep-seated problems of society. While a total of 210 proposals were received in December 2019, approval for the projects and related grants will be given in 2020. The approved research projects are expected to be completed within 2020. Would the Government advise this Committee of: (1) the approving and assessment criteria for the applications received in the special round; (2) the titles, names of applicants and brief descriptions of the 210 proposals received in the special round in table form; (3) the titles, names of applicants, amounts involved, brief descriptions of the projects and estimated completion time of the research studies approved in the special round before January 2020 in table form; (4) the recurrent expenditure on the special round of applications under PPRFS launched in 2020-21; the staff establishment and estimated expenditure on salaries for monitoring the research projects of the special round in 2020-21; and (5) the operational expenditure, staff establishment and estimated expenditure on salaries of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office in 2020-21?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 6) Reply:

(1) Assessment of the applications received under the special round of the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme (special round) launched by the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) in November 2019 is conducted by the Assessment Panel, which is chaired by and comprises experienced academics. Research quality of the proposal

Session 6 CSO - Page 1 and the relevance to the themes of the special round are the principal assessment criteria adopted by the Assessment Panel. The Assessment Panel also gives due consideration to other relating factors, such as whether the research proposal is solution-oriented, feasible and practical; whether the methodology is reasonable and sound; the capability of the applicant, including his/her academic qualifications, research records, past research performance, and outcomes of past projects; whether the proposed budget is prudent and cost-effective, etc.. The assessment criteria have been set out clearly in the Guidance Notes. Each application is reviewed by at least 1 Panel Reader and 1 reviewer who is not a member of the Assessment Panel. The Assessment Panel will take a holistic view on the research proposal, reach a collective decision and make recommendations to PICO. A declaration of interest system is also in place to ensure the assessments are fair and impartial.

(2) & (3) The assessment for the special round is at its final stage. Upon completion of the related procedures, PICO will start informing applicants of approved projects and disburse funding. Hence, we cannot provide relevant details at this stage. We will announce the application results after we have completed the assessment and approval procedures.

The project duration of applications received under the special round is 6 months in general. Therefore, we expect the funded research projects to commence progressively in April 2020 and the first batch to be completed in late September/early October 2020.

(4) & (5) For 2020-21, PICO’s estimated operating expenditure is $170.9 million, with a civil service establishment of 49 posts and an estimated full-year remuneration and relevant expenditure of around $60.8 million. In addition, PICO expects to employ 24 contract staff in the financial year, with an estimated full-year remuneration and relevant expenditure of around $19.9 million.

PICO has earmarked $27.3 million in the estimated financial provision for 2020-21 for meeting the estimated amount of grants to be approved under the special round. In 2020- 21, the PPR Funding Scheme Unit under PICO is expected to have 6 staff responsible for the administration of 2 research funding schemes, i.e. the PPR Funding Scheme (including the special round) and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO002 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1468)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Under Programme (5): Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council, the estimated provision for legal aid (Director of Administration) is $189.6 (million).

The Duty Lawyer Service implements 3 legal assistance schemes, namely the Duty Lawyer Scheme, the Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) and the Tel-Law Scheme, subvented under Programme (5), to complement the legal aid services provided by the Legal Aid Department. Please advise the following:

1. the average waiting time for services of FLAS by members of the public in the past year; 2. the numbers of beneficiaries of the free legal advice service and cases in the past year; 3. the total number of lawyers participating in the scheme in the past year and the manpower and expenditure involved.

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chun-ying (LegCo internal reference no.: 33) Reply:

1. The Government provides the Duty Lawyer Service (DLS) with subvention to implement the Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) at 9 District Offices (DOs) of the Home Affairs Department. In 2019, the average waiting time between the submission of an application and the arrangement for an advice session was 26.6 days, which was 38.9% shorter than that in 2018 (43.5 days).

2. FLAS provides free preliminary legal advice without means testing to members of the public as to their legal position in genuine cases. The number of cases handled under FLAS in 2019 was 7 256.

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3. In 2019, 1 217 people registered as volunteer lawyers under FLAS. DLS has a total of 3 staff members responsible for providing administrative support for FLAS. The expenditure on FLAS in 2019 was $1.6 million.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO003 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2589)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Under the prevailing policies on government records management, Bureaux/Departments (B/Ds) are required to establish and implement a comprehensive records management programme having regard to their unique operational and management needs. B/Ds are required to appoint a Departmental Records Manager (DRM) to assist in the implementation of the departmental records management programme. Please inform this Committee of the following: (a) What is the job description of a DRM? (b) Have all government departments appointed a DRM? If so, how many DRMs are there in total? If not, how many government departments have not yet appointed their DRMs; and when do they plan to appoint one? (c) Regarding the qualifications of DRMs, (i) please set out the present grades and ranks of the DRMs in each B/D respectively; (ii) have the serving DRMs received professional training on records management? If so, please set out the names of the professional training programmes and the number of people who have received such training; and (iii) apart from professional training, the Government Records Service also provides internal records management training to staff members with operational needs, including DRMs. How many serving DRMs have received such training on records management in the past 5 years? Please provide the names of the training programmes, if any.

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 35) Reply:

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The requirements of appointing a Departmental Records Manager (DRM) as well as their duties are detailed in General Circular No. 2/2009 entitled “Mandatory Records Management Requirements”. According to the guidelines of this circular, DRMs have a key role to play in records management of their respective bureau/department (B/D) and B/Ds should hence designate a sufficiently senior officer to take up this role to ensure sufficient attention from the senior management to their records management. The major duties of the DRMs include ensuring that the design of the recordkeeping system, the choice of equipment, and the use of resources and space are as efficient and cost-effective as possible. The detailed job description of DRMs is set out at Annex. All B/Ds have appointed their respective DRM(s). The respective grade and rank of DRMs as at 31 December 2019 are tabulated below:

Grade Rank Number of staff Executive Officer Senior Principal Executive Officer 1 Principal Executive Officer 12 Chief Executive Officer 44 Senior Executive Officer 20 Registry Manager Registry Manager 1 (Companies Registry) Immigration Officer Principal Immigration Officer 1 (Immigration Department) Investigator Principal Investigator 1 (Independent Commission Against Corruption *)(ICAC) Commission Against Corruption Senior Commission Against 1 Officer Corruption Officer (ICAC *) Hospital Administrator Chief Hospital Administrator 1 (Department of Health) Manager Manager 1 (Hong Kong Monetary Authority) Total: 83 * ICAC has designated 2 DRMs.

The Government Records Service (GRS) has organised various kinds of records management training programmes to meet DRMs’ routine operational and management needs. These programmes include regular courses, records management seminars, briefings, etc. DRMs may participate in these courses and programmes according to their needs. The relevant officers in GRS will offer professional training on appraising and describing records that possess archival value, preservation of digital records and conservation of records. DRMs may seek assistance from GRS if necessary. As GRS’ training programmes are open to DRMs and other colleagues, we do not maintain statistics exclusively on DRMs. Notwithstanding this, according to GRS’ information, for the 2 records management seminars held in 2017, among the 175 participants, 58 were serving DRMs and 117 their assistants at the time of attending these seminars. In another briefing session held in 2019, among the 255 participants, 52 were serving DRMs at the time of attending the briefing. Regarding electronic records management and electronic recordkeeping system, GRS also held 19 training courses in the past 5 years. Among the 447 participants, 97 were the then serving DRMs.

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In the latest Training Plan, GRS has continued to strengthen training for DRMs and their assistants through different modes. These include organising tailor-made regular records management seminars, experience sharing sessions and training courses for new DRMs, as well as producing “Information Kit for DRMs”, video clips, and creating a “DRMs’ Corner” on the Records Management Theme page of the Central Cyber Government Office, etc.

Session 6 CSO - Page 7

Annex

Major Duties of Departmental Records Manager

(a) Ensure that the design of the recordkeeping system, the choice of equipment and the use of resources and space are as efficient and cost-effective as possible;

(b) Establish, implement and document departmental records management practices and procedures according to the guidelines and instructions of the GRS;

(c) Provide records management staff with appropriate training and guidance to supplement those provided by GRS, having regard to the operational needs of the B/D;

(d) Appoint Assistant Departmental Records Manager(s), where necessary, to monitor records management routines;

(e) Introduce the use of technology in a cost-beneficial manner to any aspect of the records management function that improves operation of the organisation and helps achieve the records management policy of the government;

(f) Use GRS' records centres as far as practicable to store, service and dispose of inactive records;

(g) Facilitate records appraisal and records access review conducted by the Public Records Office of GRS and ensure prompt and systematic transfer of archival records to the Public Records Office for preservation;

(h) Identify and protect vital records so as to ensure their availability in the event of any emergency or disaster;

(i) Foster cooperation between records management personnel and other staff to facilitate the most effective management of departmental records;

(j) Cooperate with GRS in evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the records management programme on a regular basis;

(k) Approve new records classification schemes and review records classification schemes every2 to 3 years;

(1) Conduct investigation into cases involving loss or unauthorised destruction of records, take appropriate follow-up action, and report findings to GRS; and

(m) Consult GRS when records management advice is required.

(Notes: This list is adapted from Appendix I to General Circular No. 2/2009 entitled “Mandatory Records Management Requirements”.)

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO004 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2592)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In the past 5 years (from 2015 to 2019),

(a) was there any loss of confidential records (classified records) by bureaux/departments (B/Ds)? If so, please set out one by one in table the departments concerned (rather than giving a general total number), and the numbers of cases and records involved;

Year Department Number of cases involved Number of records (please set out one by one involved rather than giving a general total number)

(b) regarding the loss of non-confidential (unclassified) programme files, please set out one by one in table the departments involved (rather than giving a general total number) and the title(s) of the missing programme files;

Year Department Title of missing non-confidential (please set out one by one rather than programme files giving a general total number)

(c) as mentioned by the Government, there were certain cases of loss of records in which no disciplinary action or administrative measure was taken against any of the staff because it was impossible to identify the staff who should be held accountable for the cases. Please provide the names of the departments concerned, and the numbers of cases and staff involved in each year;

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Year Department Number of cases in which no disciplinary (please set out one by one rather than action or administrative measure was giving a general total number) taken against any of the staff because it was impossible to identify staff who should be held accountable for the cases and the number of staff involved

(d) regarding the unauthorised destruction of records, please set out one by one in table the departments involved (rather than giving a general total number) and the title(s) of non- confidential programme files destroyed without authorisation.

Year Department Title of non-confidential programme files (please set out one by one rather than destroyed without authorisation giving a general total number)

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 38) Reply:

In accordance with the General Circular No. 2/2009 “Mandatory Records Management Requirements” issued by the Government in April 2009, any loss or unauthorised destruction of records should be immediately reported to the Departmental Records Managers (DRMs) of the bureau/departments (B/D)s concerned immediately, with a copy of the report to the Government Records Service (GRS) simultaneously. Upon receipt of the report, the DRM should-

(a) ascertain the facts (including the types, numbers and storage media, etc. of records involved) and identify the circumstances leading to the loss or unauthorised destruction of records; (b) reconstruct the records where necessary; (c) take steps to prevent recurrence; (d) consider whether any disciplinary action or other administrative action is necessary; and (e) report his findings and actions on (a) to (d) above to GRS within 3 months.

The above measures enable GRS to monitor whether the follow-up actions taken by B/Ds in respect of investigations of cases involving the loss or unauthorised destruction of records are appropriate, and to make recommendations for improvement from the records management perspective. As revealed from the cases handled, loss or unauthorised destruction of records is mainly due to negligence, insufficient monitoring or improper handling of records, etc.

Regarding the information requested in the question, our reply is as follows:

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(a) From 2015 to 2019, GRS received and completed processing cases involving the loss of confidential records of the following B/Ds:

Year Department Number of Number of confidential cases involved records involved 2015 Hong Kong Police 1 14 Force 2016 Buildings 1 2 Department 2017 Independent 1 1 Commission Against Corruption 2018 Hong Kong Police 1 1 Force 2019 ------

(b) From 2015 to 2019, GRS received and completed processing cases involving the loss of non-confidential programme files of the following B/Ds:

Year Department Number Number and information of loss of non- of cases confidential programme files involved 2015 Agriculture, 1 4 files relating to pests and the protection of Fisheries and animals and plants Conservation Department Civil 1 1 file relating to the functions and Engineering responsibilities of the department and Development Department Education 1 2 case files relating to school placement and Bureau support Hong Kong 1 1 file relating to the meteorological Observatory information above a broadcasting station Hong Kong 2 1 investigation report and 3 loose minutes Police Force Home Affairs 1 1 file relating to the procurement service Department documents regarding the posting of emblems at the designated spots for election advertisement at venues of the Rural Representative Election Leisure and 1 1 file relating to music group Cultural Services Department Security 1 1 case file relating to immigration case Bureau

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Year Department Number Number and information of loss of non- of cases confidential programme files involved 2016 Agriculture, 1 4 files relating to enquiries and investigation Fisheries and reports Conservation Department Buildings 1 25 files of building cases Department Fire Services 1 1 file relating to dangerous goods vehicles Department Home Affairs 1 10 files relating to advisory and statutory Bureau bodies Hong Kong 3 2 divisional report files and 1 case file Police Force Labour 2 2 files of investigation cases Department Social Welfare 1 2 files relating to cases of the Integrated Department Family Service Centres 2017 Civil Aviation 1 3 files relating to air-worthiness standards Department Fire Services 1 4 case files relating to fire safety Department Hong Kong 3 2 divisional reports and 1 file relating to Police Force investigation report Housing 2 27 case files relating to Deeds of Guarantee Department for mortgage and 1 file relating to consultancy projects Independent 1 1 file relating to corruption prevention Commission Against Corruption Labour 1 4 files of investigation cases Department Legal Aid 1 1 file relating to newspaper cuttings Department Social Welfare 3 3 files relating to 1 care and attention home Department for the elderly and 2 case files relating to Integrated Family Service Centres 2018 Department of 1 1 case file relating to patient records Health Education 1 2 files relating to building schools Bureau Lands 1 12 files of District Lands Offices Department Transport 1 5 files of Regional Offices Department Water Supplies 1 15 files relating to works projects and general Department administrative work

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Year Department Number Number and information of loss of non- of cases confidential programme files involved 2019 Official 1 3 files of bankruptcy cases Receiver’s Office

(c) Upon receiving a report on the loss of records, the DRM will ascertain the facts and identify the circumstances leading to the loss in accordance with the mechanism set out in the first paragraph of this reply and consider whether disciplinary action or other administrative measures are necessary. If government officer(s) has/have violated the mandatory records management requirements and/or any negligence in records management duties, the B/D concerned will take disciplinary action or other administrative measures commensurate with the circumstances and severity of the case. GRS will also review the relevant decisions of B/Ds.

From 2015 to 2019, the GRS received and completed processing 121 cases of loss of records. Of this total, accountable staff were identified in 67 cases, and disciplinary action or other administrative measures were taken against a total of 111 staff. As for the remaining 54 cases, as the investigation could not identify the staff who should be held accountable, no disciplinary action or administrative measure was taken against any staff. Nonetheless, the B/Ds concerned had implemented appropriate improvement measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents, and had reminded staff members to perform records management duties properly to enhance the effectiveness of records management. These measures included organizing seminars on records management, giving advice and reminders to staff performing records management duties and circulating departmental policies and rules for records management regularly.

The 54 cases for which no disciplinary action or administrative measure was taken against any staff as the investigation was unable to identify the staff who should be held accountable are tabulated below:

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Year Department Number of cases in which no disciplinary action or administrative measure was taken against any staff as the investigation was unable to identify the staff who should be held accountable [Note: As the B/Ds were unable to identify the staff who should be held accountable for the cases, we can only provide the number of cases and the information of the files, but not the number of staff involved] Number Information of files of cases Civil 1 1 file relating to the functions and Engineering and responsibilities of the department Development Department Education 1 2 case files relating to school placement and Bureau support Fire Services 4 1 vehicle logbook, 9 fire safety compliance Department orders, 1 fuel-voucher book and 1 government vehicle pass Hong Kong 1 1 file relating to the meteorological Observatory information above a broadcasting station Hong Kong 1 1 notebook Police Force Immigration 1 498 arrival and departure cards Department Leisure and 1 1 file relating to musical group Cultural Services Department 2016 Agriculture, 1 4 files relating to enquiries and investigation Fisheries and reports Conservation Department Buildings 1 27 files on building cases Department Commerce and 1 1 file relating to air mail postage Economic Development Bureau Education 1 1 file relating to primary school mathematics Bureau Fire Services 2 1 government vehicle pass and 1 book of Department vouchers for stores Home Affairs 1 10 files on advisory and statutory bodies Bureau Hong Kong 1 1 record on divisional report Police Force Housing 1 1 file relating to redeveloped flats Department

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Year Department Number of cases in which no disciplinary action or administrative measure was taken against any staff as the investigation was unable to identify the staff who should be held accountable [Note: As the B/Ds were unable to identify the staff who should be held accountable for the cases, we can only provide the number of cases and the information of the files, but not the number of staff involved] Number Information of files of cases Labour 1 1 file of investigation case Department 2017 Fire Services 2 1 book of government vehicle pass and 4 case Department files relating to the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance Food and 1 4 Records of Service Environmental Hygiene Department Hong Kong 4 1 file of investigation report, 14 penalty tickets Police Force and 8 vouchers for stores Housing 3 1 Record of Service, 27 case files relating to Department Deeds of Guarantee for mortgage and 1 file relating to consultancy projects Independent 2 2 files relating to corruption prevention Commission Against Corruption Labour 1 closed-circuit television system records Department Legal Aid 1 1 file of newspaper cuttings Department 2018 Department of 1 1 case file relating to patient records Health Education 1 2 files relating to building schools Bureau Highways 1 1 monthly progress report Department Hong Kong 6 15 property receipts, 1 inspection book, 1 book Police Force of voucher for stores and 1 file Housing 1 7 work site photographs Department Lands 1 12 files of District Land Offices Department Transport 1 5 files of regional offices Department Water Supplies 1 15 files relating to works projects and general Department administrative work

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(d) Under the mandatory records management requirements, B/Ds should, in disposing records upon their expiry of the retention period, assign a senior officer not below the rank of Senior Executive Officer or equivalent to consider and endorse in writing the disposal decision. The prior agreement of the GRS Director has to be sought before any government records can be destroyed. The DRM will investigate the case according to the investigation procedures as set out in the first paragraph of this reply upon receiving a report on unauthorised destruction of records.

The cases concerning unauthorised destruction of non-confidential programme files which GRS had received and completed processing from 2015 to 2019 are tabulated below:

Year Department Number Number and information of non- of cases confidential programme files destroyed without authorisation 2015 -- -- 2016 Highways 1 105 time-expired files relating to works carried Department out by the Lighting Division (Note 1) Hong Kong 1 1 245 files of investigation reports (Note 2) Police Force 2017 Hong Kong 2 1 500 investigation reports (Note 2) and 17 Police Force files on police operation (Note 3) Labour 1 75 time-expired files of the Labour Relations Department Division (Note 4) 2018 -- -- 2019 -- --

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Notes: 1 The department had made a request to GRS for disposal of the batch of records in question. However, due to improper monitoring on the part of the staff concerned, the records pending approval were mistakenly destroyed by the contractor. The department has taken administrative action against the staff. 2 The staff concerned destroyed the records in question without obtaining the prior approval of the GRS Director mainly because they were unfamiliar with the relevant mandatory requirements on the retention and disposal of records. The department has taken disciplinary action or administrative action against the staff. 3 The department had made a request to GRS for the disposal of the batch of records in question. However, the records pending approval were mistakenly destroyed by the staff concerned. The department has taken disciplinary action against the staff. 4 The department had made a request to GRS for the disposal of the batch of records in question. However, the records pending approval were mistakenly destroyed by the staff concerned. The department has taken administrative action against the staff.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO005 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2593)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: (a) Please set out in table form the details and outcome of applications for access to closed archival records received by the Government Records Service (GRS) from members of the public in the past 5 years, including: (i) the title and content of the records to which access was requested, (ii) covering period of the records, (iii) the departments involved, and (iv) the final decisions of the Administration Wing.

Year (i)Title and content (ii) Covering (iii) Departments (iv) Final decisions of the records to period of the involved of the which access was records Administration requested Wing

(b) Please set out in table form the access status of archival holdings currently kept by the GRS.

Access status Number of archival holdings Open Application for access required Checking required Stored in Records Centres Others (if any) Total number of archival holdings

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 39) Reply:

Session 6 CSO - Page 18

(a) Details of the applications which the Government Records Service (GRS) has received in the past 5 years for accessing closed archival records are as below:

Year Number of Number of Records series Application results applications records Number of Number of for applied for successful rejected accessing access applications applications records (Note 2) (Note 1) 2015 44 161 District development, 42 1 youth policy, Chinese traditional festivals, town planning, public transport, etc. 2016 74 202 Antiquities and 71 0 monuments, New Territories development, Chinese traditional festivals, education, district development, etc. 2017 84 471 Antiquities and 83 0 monuments, New Territories development, public library services, education, Chinese traditional festivals, etc. 2018 68 402 New Territories 65 1 development, public transport, waste treatment, festivals, urban renewal, etc. 2019 106 328 Nature conservation, 83 0 New Territories development, temple management, education, district development, etc.

Note 1: a. In 2015, 1 case was withdrawn by the applicant. b. In 2016, 3 cases were withdrawn by applicants. c. In 2017, 1 case was directed to use the service of the bureau/department (B/D) concerned. d. In 2018, 1 case was withdrawn by the applicant and 1 case was directed to use the service of the B/D concerned. e. By the end of February 2020, among the cases received in 2019, 16 were under processing, 3 cases withdrawn by applicants, and 4 cases directed to use the services of the B/Ds concerned. Note 2: As a significantly large number of records is involved, we are unable to list out the record titles, periods covered and the names of relevant B/Ds.

Session 6 CSO - Page 19

(b) At present, GRS has about 1 692 000 holdings. Among them, about 819 000 are archival records open for public inspection. Inspection of archival records kept by GRS is regulated under the Public Records (Access) Rules 1996. In general, the public may inspect archival records which have been in existence for not less than 30 years or the contents of which have been published. For records which have been in existence for more than 30 years and have been transferred to GRS, if the B/D concerned and GRS consider upon review that the content is still sensitive and thus inappropriate for opening for the time being, the B/D concerned is required to further review the record once every 5 years until the record is eventually opened. For applications for access to archival records which are in existence for less than 30 years, GRS will consult the transferring B/Ds and encourage them to open the records for public access.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 20

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO006 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2595)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the posting and qualification of Executive Officers (EOs) serving in offices of Government Records Office (GRS) not having Archivists in their establishment (i.e. the Records Management and Administration Office (RMAO) and the Record Systems Development Office (RSDO)) in 2019, please inform this Committee of the following: (a) What are the ranks and numbers of EOs serving in the RMAO and the RSDO respectively as at 31 December 2019? (b) Regarding the qualification of EOs serving in the GRS, please list the numbers of EOs with qualification related to records management or archival records management serving in the RMAO and the RSDO respectively as at 31 December 2019. (i) RMAO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of people records management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree

(ii) RSDO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of people records management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree

Session 6 CSO - Page 21

(c) In connection with item (b), please list the details of the professional training on records management, internal or external, received by the EOs after being transferred to the RMAO and the RSDO respectively as at 31 December 2019:

(i) RMAO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of people records management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree Internal training Name of programme Number of people

(ii) RSDO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of people records management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree Internal training Name of programme Number of people

(d) Regarding the duration of service of EOs in the GRS, please set out in table form the numbers of EOs serving in the RMAO and the RSDO by the number of years they served in the same post when they were posted out of the GRS in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019:

2015 (example) Number of Number of people years of RMAO RSDO service in EOII EOI SEO CEO EOII EOI SEO CEO the same post when posted out of the GRS 1 2 3 4 5 Over 6

Session 6 CSO - Page 22

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 41) Reply:

(a) The ranks and establishment of Executive Officers (EOs) serving in the Records Management and Administration Office (RMAO) and the Record Systems Development Office (RSDO) of the Government Records Service (GRS) as at 31 December 2019 are tabulated below:

Rank Establishment RMAO RSDO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 1 1 Senior Executive Officer (SEO) 4 2 Executive Officer I (EO I) 4 1 Executive Officer II (EO II) 3 2

(b) & (c)

Records management covers a wide range of professional areas and management disciplines. GRS is made up of staff from different professional grades including Archivist, Executive Officers (EOs), Curator (Conservation), Systems Manager, etc. They all excel in and devote to their respective areas of responsibilities, working in close collaboration with each other.

Regarding Public Records Office (PRO) and Legislation and Planning Office (LPO), as the work involved (including selection, arrangement and preservation of archival records, promotion and reference services, etc) requires the incumbents to possess relevant professional knowledge and skills, both offices are staffed mainly by officers of the Archivist grade. The Preservation Service Office is primarily staffed by officers of the Curator (Conservation) grade.

As regards the RMAO and RSDO of GRS, these 2 offices are mainly responsible for the management duties relating to administration, records, human resources, systems and resources, etc., alongside with other aspects of work such as external liaison, training, application and co-ordination of information technology etc, all of such duties should be performed by officers proficient in management and planning skills. These 2 offices are therefore primarily staffed by officers of the EO grade.

For the continuous enhancement of professional knowledge of staff, GRS has developed a structured training and development programme to strengthen staff’s competence. As at 31 December 2019, the records management training which EOs of RMAO and RSDO had received after assuming office as at 31 December 2019 is tabulated below:

Session 6 CSO - Page 23

(i) RMAO

External Training Title of programme Number of officers AIIM Note Electronic Records Management 4 Certificate Programme (AIIM ERM Practitioner) AIIM Electronic Records Management Certificate 8 Programme (AIIM ERM Specialist) AIIM - Practical Artificial Intelligence for the 2 Information Professional Certificate Programme Internal Training Title of programme Number of officers Regular training Government Records Management - An Overview 4 on records Government Records Classification and Coding - 2 management Design and Implementation Records Scheduling and Disposal - Planning and 3 Co-ordination Records Management Course for Senior Executive 1 Officers Management Development Programme for 1 Executive Officer I: Records Management Module GRS Familiarisation Programme 4 Electronic ERKS Implementation: Review of Records 3 Recordkeeping Classification Scheme System (ERKS) Briefing on Introduction of ERKS and Preparation 4 for ERKS Implementation ERKS Refresher Training for Records Management 5 Staff ERKS Refresher Training for Records Manager 6 ERKS Refresher Training for Records Users 7 Experience Sharing Session on ERKS: Tips for 1 Effective Use of an ERKS Experience Sharing Session on ERKS: Changes 1 from Paper-filing to Electronic-filing through ERKS ERKS Enhancement Project Training for Records 1 Users ERKS Enhancement Project Training for Records 1 Management and IT staff ERKS Enhancement Project Training 2

Session 6 CSO - Page 24

(ii) RSDO

External Training Title of programme Number of officers AIIM Note Electronic Records Management 2 Certificate Programme (AIIM ERM Practitioner) AIIM Electronic Records Management Certificate 2 Programme (AIIM ERM Specialist) AIIM’s Managing Content in the Cloud 1 AIIM’s Modern Records Management Master 4 AIIM’s Information Governance Specialist 1 Society of American Archivists’ Web Archiving 1 Fundamentals Internal Training Title of programme Number of officers Regular training Government Records Management - An Overview 1 on records Government Records Classification and Coding - 2 management Design and Implementation Records Scheduling and Disposal - Planning and Co- 4 ordination GRS Familiarisation Programme 3 ERKS ERKS Refresher Training for Records Management 3 Staff ERKS Refresher Training for Records Manager 1 ERKS Refresher Training for Records Users 3 ERKS Enhancement Project Training for Records 2 Users Note: AIIM (“Association for Intelligent Information Management”) is formerly known as “Association for Information and Image Management”.

(d) The number of years which EOs of RMAO and RSDO had served in the same post when they were posted out during the period from 2015 to 2019 is tabulated below:

Number of years Number of officers which EOs had RMAO RSDO served in the EO II EO I SEO CEO EO II EO I SEO CEO same post when they were posted out of the GRS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 or above 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 0

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Session 6 CSO - Page 25

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO007 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2596)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the posting and qualification of Archivists serving in the Government Records Service (GRS), please inform this Committee of the following: (a) What are the ranks and numbers of Archivists serving in the Preservation Service Office (PSO), Record Systems Development Office (RSDO), Public Records Office (PRO) and Legislation and Planning Office (LPO) respectively as at 31 December 2019? (b) Regarding the qualification of Archivists serving in the GRS, please list the numbers of Archivists with qualification related to records management or archival records management serving in the PSO, RSDO, PRO and LPO respectively as at 31 December 2019: (i) PSO Qualification related to records Name of qualification Number of people management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree

(ii) RSDO Qualification related to records Name of qualification Number of people management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree

(iii) PRO

Session 6 CSO - Page 26

Qualification related to records Name of qualification Number of people management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree

(iv) LPO Qualification related to records Name of qualification Number of people management or archival records management Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree

(c) In connection with item (b), please list the details of the professional training on records management, internal or external, received by the Archivists after being deployed to the PSO, RSDO, PRO and the LPO respectively, and specify the numbers of them having completed the programmes as at 31 December 2019:

(i) PSO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of participants records management or and number of people archival records having completed the management programme(s) Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree Internal training Name of programme Number of participants

(ii) RSDO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of participants records management or and number of people archival records having completed the management programme(s) Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree Internal training Name of programme Number of participants

(iii) PRO

Session 6 CSO - Page 27

Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of participants records management or and number of people archival records having completed the management programme(s) Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree Internal training Name of programme Number of participants

(iv) LPO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of participants records management or and number of people archival records having completed the management programme(s) Diploma Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree Internal training Name of programme Number of participants

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 42) Reply:

(a) As at 31 December 2019, there were a total of 24 Archivist Grade staff in the Government Records Service (GRS) who served in the Public Records Office (PRO) and the Legislation and Planning Office (LPO) respectively, details of which are tabulated below:

Rank Number of officers PRO LPO Archivist 2 1 Senior Assistant Archivist 6 2 Assistant Archivist 11 2

(b) Records management covers a wide range of professional areas and management disciplines. GRS is made up of staff from different professional grades including Archivist, Executive Officers (EOs), Curator (Conservation), Systems Manager, etc. They all excel in and devote to their respective areas of responsibilities, working in close collaboration with each other.

Regarding PRO and LPO, as the work involved (including selection, arrangement and preservation of archival records, promotion and reference services, etc) requires the incumbents to possess relevant professional knowledge and skills, both offices are

Session 6 CSO - Page 28 staffed mainly by officers of the Archivist grade. The Preservation Service Office is primarily staffed by officers of the Curator (Conservation) grade.

As regards the Records Management and Administration Office and the Record Systems Development Office of GRS, these 2 offices are mainly responsible for the management duties relating to administration, records, human resources, systems and resources, etc., alongside with other aspects of work such as external liaison, training, application and co-ordination of information technology etc, all of such duties should be performed by officers proficient in management and planning skills. These 2 offices are therefore primarily staffed by officers of the EO grade.

All members of the Archivist grade have acquired a Bachelor Degree in History, Political Science, Public Administration, Information Management and Library Studies, Archives and Records Management or a equivalent subject, or equivalent qualifications, or post-graduate research or study in History, Political Science, Public Administration, Information Management and Library Studies, Archives and Records Management or a equivalent subject, or have received 2 years’ relevant post-graduate training. As at 31 December 2019, the number of staff with qualifications related to records management or archival records management are as follows:

(i) PRO Qualifications related to Name of qualifications Number of records management or officers archival records management Diploma Information Management and 1 Library Studies Archives and Records Management 1 Certified Archivist 1 Bachelor’s degree Bachelor of Arts in History 16 Bachelor of Social Sciences in 3 Political Science/Government and Public Administration/Political Science and International Relations Master’s degree History 13 Political Science (including Law and 4 Public Administration/International Relations/Political Science and Administration/Public Policy and Management) Social sciences (Public 1 Administration) Librarianship 1 Doctoral degree Humanities (Social History, History, 4 Culture and Anthropology)

Session 6 CSO - Page 29

(iv) LPO Qualification related to Name of qualification Number of records management or officers archival records management Diploma History Education 1 Certified Archivist 1 Bachelor’s degree Bachelor of Arts in History 4 Bachelor of Social Sciences in 1 Administration and Public Management Master’s degree History 3 Archives and Records Management 1 Contemporary Chinese Studies 1 Sociology 1 Humanities 1 Doctoral degree Humanities (History) 2

(c) GRS appreciates the importance of continuous enhancement of the professional knowledge of its staff and has developed a structured training and development programme to strengthen their competence. Newly recruited Assistant Archivists are provided with in-house training and are required to pass a proficiency test after 1 year’s service. Upon passing the test, they are required to take a post-graduate programme on archives and records management. This training programme comprises programmes on archives management, records management as well as digital preservation provided by recognised professional bodies. Details of the professional training programmes in archives management, including internal and external ones, which Archivists had received as at 31 December 2019 are tabulated below:

(i) PRO Internal training Name of programme Number of officers Training for In-house Training Programme for Newly- 19 Archivist grade recruited Assistant Archivist Career Development Training Programme for 5 Assistant Archivist Regular Government Records Management - An 1 programme on Overview records Records Scheduling and Disposal - Planning 14 management and Co-ordination Records Scheduling and Disposal 3 Records Management for Registry Supervisors 1 - Administrative Records Records Management for Registry Supervisors 1 - Programme Records Application Training for Records Users 1 Records Management Programme 8 GRS Familiarisation Programme 9

Session 6 CSO - Page 30

Internal training Name of programme Number of officers Electronic ERKS Implementation: Review of Records 1 recordkeeping Classification Scheme system (ERKS) Briefing on Introduction of ERKS and 10 Preparation for ERKS Implementation ERKS Refresher Training for Records Manager 2

ERKS Refresher Training for Records Users 13

Enhancement of GRS' ERKS Application 9 Training for Records Users

External training Name of programme Number of officers Records and Information Management 4 Certificate by the Association of Records Managers and Administrators, United States of America (USA) Postgraduate Diploma in Archival Records and 5 Records Management by the University of Dundee, United Kingdom (UK) Metadata Standards and Information 1 Taxonomies by the University of Dundee, UK Standards for Digital Archives by the Society of 3 American Archivists Information Architecture by the Society of 2 American Archivists Acquiring, Managing, and Preserving Born- 1 Digital Archives by the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries Rights and Confidentiality by the Society of 2 American Archivists Thinking Digital: A Practical Session to Help 3 You Get Started by the Society of American Archivists Email Preservation by the Society of American 2 Archivists Electronic Records Management Certificate 1 Programme (ERM Practitioner) (Note 1) by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) Practical Artificial Intelligence for the 1 Information Professional Certificate Programme by AIIM Appraisal by the Australian Society of 11 Archivists

Session 6 CSO - Page 31

External training Name of programme Number of officers Context Control and Documentation by the 3 Australian Society of Archivists Digital Records by the Australian Society of 4 Archivists Basic Training Course on the Conservation and 1 Restoration by the Macao Institute of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Relics Library and Information Management – 1 Book Classification, Cataloging and Subject Cataloging by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the Chinese University of Hong Kong User Experience Design and Digital Archives 1 by the Society of American Archivists Web Archiving Fundamentals by the Society of 1 American Archivists

Note 1: The “Association for Intelligent Information Management” is formerly known as the “Association for Information and Image Management”.

(iv) LPO Internal training Name of programme Number of officers Training for In-house Training Programme for Newly- 4 Archivist Grade recruited Assistant Archivist Career Development Training Programme for 2 Assistant Archivist Regular Records Government Records Management - An 1 Management Overview Programme Records Scheduling and Disposal 3 Records Scheduling and Disposal - Planning 4 and Co-ordination Records Management Programme 3 GRS Familiarisation Programme 1 ERKS Briefing on Introduction of ERKS and 4 Preparation for ERKS Implementation ERKS Refresher Training for Records User 3 Enhancement of GRS' ERKS Application 4 Training for Records Users

External training Name of programme Number of officers Records and Information Management 1 Certificate by the Association of Records Managers and Administrators, USA

Session 6 CSO - Page 32

External training Name of programme Number of officers Postgraduate Diploma in Archival Records and 3 Records Management by the University of Dundee, UK Appraisal by the Australian Society of 2 Archivists Web Archiving Fundamentals by the Society of 1 American Archivists

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Session 6 CSO - Page 33

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO008 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0142)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please list the estimated annual salary expenditure (including non-accountable entertainment allowance) for the Chief Secretary for Administration in 2020-21.

Asked by: Hon CHENG Chung-tai (LegCo internal reference no.: 2) Reply:

The provisions earmarked for the salary and non-accountable entertainment allowance of the Chief Secretary for Administration in 2020-21 are as follows:

Salary Non-accountable entertainment allowance ($ million) ($ million) 2020-21 (Draft Estimates) 4.63 0.49

The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved on 10 February 2017 that the cash remuneration of Politically Appointed Officials will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C). The relevant expenses for 2020-21 will be reflected in the Revised Estimates for 2020-21. The adjustment to cash remuneration expenses of Politically Appointed Officials will be met by internal redeployment of resources in relevant bureaux/offices and no additional provision is required.

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 34

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO009 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0143)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please list the estimated annual salary expenditure (including non-accountable entertainment allowance) for the Financial Secretary in 2020-21.

Asked by: Hon CHENG Chung-tai (LegCo internal reference no.: 3) Reply:

The provisions earmarked for the salary and non-accountable entertainment allowance of the Financial Secretary in 2020-21 are as follows:

Salary Non-accountable entertainment allowance ($ million) ($ million) 2020-21 (Draft Estimates) 4.47 0.38

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 35

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO010 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0793)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: What are the ranks of the 49 staff on the establishment of the Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office (PICO)? Regarding the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme administered by PICO, what are the details of the research projects funded by the 2 schemes last year? What is the amount of funding earmarked for this year?

Asked by: Hon CHENG Chung-tai (LegCo internal reference no.: 23) Reply:

The estimated establishment of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) in 2020-21 is 49. The details of their ranks are as follows:

Rank No. of Post (i) 8 directorate officers: Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 1 Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 1 Administrative Officer Staff Grade B 2 Administrative Officer Staff Grade C/Principal Economist 4 (ii) 41 non-directorate officers: Senior Administrative Officer/Senior Statistician/ 10 Senior Economist/Senior Town Planner/ Chief Executive Officer Senior Executive Officer/Executive Officer I/ 8 Statistical Officer I Clerical and Secretarial Staff 21 Chauffeur/ Motor Driver 2

Session 6 CSO - Page 36

In the 2019-20 financial year, the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme provided a total funding of $20.12 million for 31 research projects and $12.81 million for 3 research projects respectively. The details of the projects are at Annex. PICO has earmarked $60.3 million out of its financial provision for 2020-21 for the 2 funding schemes, of which $27.3 million is the provision for meeting the estimated amount of grants to be approved under the special round of the PPR Funding Scheme.

Session 6 CSO - Page 37

Annex Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2019-20 CUHK Education as Soft Power: Hong Kong- 495,559 First trained Non-local University Students’ Round Connections and Their Career Plan in Hong Kong 2 2019-20 EdUHK Investigating Space in Kindergartens 537,050 First under the Free Quality Kindergarten Round Education Scheme 3 2019-20 EdUHK The Long March towards 741,761 First Professionalization: Study of Chinese Round Medicine Practitioners’ Attitudes towards Professional Development in Hong Kong 4 2019-20 HKBU How Can the United Kingdom’s Elite 601,432 First Sport Success Inspire Elite Sport Policy Round in Hong Kong: The Cases of Cycling, Swimming and Taekwondo 5 2019-20 HKU Understanding the Stigma in Promoting 612,080 First Community Recovery and Integration Round for Persons with Mental Illness in Hong Kong 6 2019-20 HKU Stalking: Intimate Partner Violence and 294,630 First Debt Collection Problems in Hong Kong Round 7 2019-20 CUHK Health Behaviour in School-aged 985,000 Second Children Study in Hong Kong: Round Assessing the Physical, Emotional and Social Well-being 8 2019-20 CUHK Hong Kong’s Logistics Industry 552,424 Second Development: Development Strategies Round in the New Spatial Context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 9 2019-20 EdUHK Well-being of Filipino Domestic 711,620 Second Workers in Hong Kong: A Public Policy Round Priority for the Future 10 2019-20 EdUHK To Claim or Not to Claim: Towards a 898,610 Second Better Understanding of the Take-up Round Rates of Welfare Schemes Targeting Hong Kong Older Adults and the Stigma Attached to Them

Session 6 CSO - Page 38

No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 11 2019-20 EdUHK Advancing Job-and Health-associated 882,395 Second Outcomes for Employees of Small and Round Medium Enterprises in Hong Kong: A Study on Workplace Supervisor Support with Smartphone-based and Capacity- building Interventions 12 2019-20 EdUHK Hong Kong’s Professional Sector under 835,130 Second Regionalization Round 13 2019-20 LU Housing as an Intergenerational Project- 868,278 Second parental Resources, Parental Strategies Round and the Housing Opportunities of Young People in Hong Kong 14 2019-20 LU Privacy Challenges and Big Data in 268,870 Second Smart City Round 15 2019-20 BU A Study of Development of Esports in 573,637 Third Hong Kong Round 16 2019-20 CityU Investigation on Incorporating Adjacent 333,118 Third Shading Effect into Overall Thermal Round Transfer Value Regulation for Energy- Efficient Building Design in Hong Kong 17 2019-20 CityU Correlates of Family Strengths in Hong 600,000 Third Kong - Implication for Family Round Wellbeing Policy 18 2019-20 Civic Managing Vibrant Streets: Street 1,300,000 Third Exchange Performance Policy in Hong Kong Round 19 2019-20 CUHK Improving the Effectiveness of Cross- 364,268 Third boundary Securities Law Enforcement Round Between Hong Kong and Mainland China 20 2019-20 EdUHK Decomposing Between- and Within- 360,578 Third group Income Inequality in Hong Kong: Round Politics, Welfare, and Identity

21 2019-20 EdUHK Investigating the Effectiveness of an 995,026 Third Information Technology Round Entrepreneurship Training Program for Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong 22 2019-20 HKU The Contribution of Minority 824,653 Third Languages and Dialects to Hong Kong’s Round Linguistic Landscape

Session 6 CSO - Page 39

No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 23 2019-20 LU The Greater Bay Area and Career 500,000 Third Opportunity for Hong Kong Youth: Round Integrating Big Data Analysis and Survey Experiments 24 2019-20 PolyU Developing Hong Kong’s Smart 411,355 Third Tourism Round 25 2019-20 BU Complex Housing Tenure and 653,200 Fourth Residential Relocation: the Case of the Round Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 26 2019-20 CityU Developing and Testing a Behavioral 908,293 Fourth Theory of Performance Information Use Round for Hong Kong: Experimental Evidence on Cognitive Biases 27 2019-20 CUHK Teachers’ Concerns about STEM 399,625 Fourth Education: A Territory-wide Evaluation Round 28 2019-20 CUHK Regulating Cross-border Data: A Public 536,199 Fourth Policy Framework for Hong Kong Round 29 2019-20 HKU Facilitating Everyday Cross-border 699,962 Fourth Monetary Transactions and the Potential Round of Digitization in the Greater Bay Area 30 2019-20 PolyU Solving Public Housing Problem in 878,025 Fourth Hong Kong by Adopting Modular Round Integrated Construction (MiC) to Build the Transitional House in Brownfields 31 2019-20 PolyU Effects of Environment-related 497,030 Fourth Experiences on Older Person’s Well- Round being in Hong Kong’s “Double Ageing” Context: A Person–environment Perspective

Session 6 CSO - Page 40

Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2019-20 CUHK Profiling Older Population’s Risks in the 4,953,002 Kwai Tsing Neighbourhood and Optimising the Service Operations at District Health Centres: Data-driven Service Model and Policy Design 2 2019-20 HKUST Developing a Green Finance Centre in 3,732,716 Hong Kong in the Context of Green Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Institutional Analysis and Policy Design 3 2019-20 HKU Enhancing Modular Integrated 4,125,050 Construction (MiC) Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for Hong Kong Development

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Session 6 CSO - Page 41

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO011 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3173)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide: 1. the estimates of salaries, benefits and allowances for the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary in the coming financial year; and

2. the estimates of salary, benefits and allowances for each of the other politically appointed officials in the coming financial year.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 9014) Reply:

In the 2020-21 Budget, the provisions earmarked for remuneration for the posts of the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS), the Financial Secretary (FS), the Political Assistant (PA) to CS and the PA to FS are about $4.63 million, 4.47 million, $1.04 million and $1.46 million respectively, and the provisions earmarked for the Mandatory Provident Fund contributions for FS, PA to CS and PA to FS are $18,000 each.

As approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration for politically-appointed officials (PAOs) will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C).

The relevant expenses for 2020-21 will be reflected in the revised estimate for the same year. The adjustment to cash remuneration expenses of PAOs will be met by internal redeployment of resources in relevant bureaux/offices and no additional provision is required.

CS, FS, PA to CS and PA to FS as well as their family members are entitled to the medical and dental benefits applicable to civil servants and their family members. CS and FS are each provided with the free use of a car and chauffeur in Hong Kong at their discretion, whereas the use of government cars by PA to CS and PA to FS is governed by the rules and regulations applicable to civil servants at comparable ranks.

Session 6 CSO - Page 42

In the 2020-21 Budget, we have earmarked about $490,000 and $380,000 for CS’ and FS’ non-accountable entertainment allowance tied to their official residences respectively. Apart from these, no other allowances are paid to CS and FS. Also, no other allowances are paid to PA to CS and PA to FS.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 43

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO012 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1596)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In recent years, with more ethnic minorities settling in Hong Kong, there have bene more non- Chinese speaking students and ethnic minorities in need of support. In this connection, will the Government inform this Committee of: 1. the work plan this year of the inter-bureau and inter-departmental Steering Committee established in the 2018-19 financial year, and the work timetable, if any;

2. whether the Government will consider devoting more resources to alleviating poverty among ethnic minorities; if yes, the details; if not, the reasons; and

3. the total number of meetings held by the steering committee, the individuals and organisations it has met so far, and whether the Government will undertake to meet those organisations and report the work progress to this Committee on a regular basis?

Asked by: Hon HO Kwan-yiu, Junius (LegCo internal reference no.: 6) Reply:

With the $500 million earmarked in the 2018-19 Budget, the Steering Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (the Steering Committee), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, co-ordinated and formulated a series of new measures covering education, employment, health, social welfare and social integration to enhance support for ethnic minorities (at Annex). These measures were announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2018 Policy Address” and “The Chief Executive’s 2019 Policy Address”, details of which can be found in the relevant leaflet (https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2018/eng/pdf/Leaflet_support.pdf) and Chapter 6 of the 2019 Policy Address Supplement (https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2019/eng/pdf/supplement_6.pdf). The work of the Steering Committee this year focused on monitoring the implementation of these measures and reviewing their effectiveness, as well as continuing to engage with stakeholders for their views on enhancing the relevant measures.

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The Government has all along attached great importance to the livelihood of ethnic minorities. The Office of the Government Economist and the Census and Statistics Department compile the “Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report on Ethnic Minorities” on a regular basis to better understand the characteristics and situation of poor ethnic minority households, so as to facilitate the formulation of related policies and support measures. Ethnic minorities are part of the Hong Kong community and are entitled to all the support services and social security assistance provided by the Government to needy families. These notwithstanding, they may face difficulties when accessing public services and seeking assistance owing to cultural and language differences. In view of this, the Government has formulated the 2 rounds of new measures mentioned above to enhance support to them. The total estimated expenditure for these measures amounts to over $800 million in the 4 financial years starting from the 2019- 20 financial year.

Since its establishment, the Steering Committee has held 3 meetings. In addition, the Chairman and officials of relevant bureaux convened working meetings and focus groups with ethnic minority organisations, service providers and stakeholders from time to time. The Steering Committee had met with close to 70 such organisations thus far. The Chief Secretary for Administration also personally chaired the 2018 and 2019 Policy Address consultation sessions to gauge the views of ethnic minority stakeholders on improvement of the existing support network for ethnic minorities. The Steering Committee will continue to maintain dialogue with these organisations on issues relevant to ethnic minorities and the work of the Steering Committee.

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Annex

Measures to Strengthen Support for Ethnic Minorities

Recurrent Measures Education 1. Enhance the subsidy for kindergartens admitting non-Chinese speaking students 2. Provide additional funding support to public sector mainstream schools admitting non-Chinese speaking students with special educational needs 3. Provide all schools admitting a relatively small number of non-Chinese speaking students with a new two-tiered subsidy with additional funding Employment 4. Launch a pilot programme in conjunction with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide employment services for ethnic minority job seekers through a case management approach Social Welfare 5. Commission NGOs to set up designated outreaching teams to connect ethnic minorities in need to mainstream welfare services 6. Enhance manpower support for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) to facilitate better service planning and co-ordination on welfare service support for ethnic minorities 7. Strengthen prevention and support service for ethnic minorities against domestic and sexual violence 8. Provide additional subsidy for special child care centres and early education and training centres with pre-school ethnic minority children with special needs admitted 9. Set up specialised ethnic minority units in 5 parents/relatives resources centres for persons with disabilities Social Integration 10. Improve the “Administrative Guidelines on Promotion of Racial Equality” for application to all Government bureaux and departments and related organisations providing services to ethnic minorities 11. Enhance interpretation and translation services in the CHEER Centre and introduce new services in Vietnamese Time-Limited Recurrent and Non-Recurrent Measures Education 12. Support non-Chinese speaking students in their learning of Chinese History using the Chinese language, and continue to commission tertiary institutions to provide professional support services for schools on Chinese language learning and teaching of non-Chinese speaking students 13. Strengthen parent education of parents of non-Chinese speaking students to help them support their children’s learning

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Employment 14. Enhance recruitment promotion and outreaching efforts to encourage ethnic minorities to consider a career in the disciplined forces, and provide a short-term internship programme in the Government for non-ethnic Chinese university students 15. Enhance manpower support for the Labour Department to implement the pilot programme Health 16. Arrange translation and production of more publicity and education materials to enable ethnic minorities to make better use of services offered by the Department of Health and enhance the effectiveness of health education on communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and mental health, etc. Social Welfare 17. Launch an “Ethnic Minority District Ambassador” pilot scheme to employ more ethnic minorities in SWD and subvented NGOs to enhance services for ethnic minorities provided by district centres/ service units Social Integration 18. Strengthen services of support service centres for ethnic minorities and organise more district-based activities to encourage interaction and exchange between ethnic minorities and local communities 19. Strengthen engagement of ethnic minority children and youth through outreaching to schools by the disciplined forces and Junior Police Call programmes 20. Provide more cultural sensitivity/equal opportunities training for civil service new recruits and front-line staff

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 47

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO013 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1597)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the Government Records Service’s work in formulating and implementing government records management policies and programmes as well as identifying and preserving records of archival value, valuable government publications and printed materials, will the Government inform this Committee of the following:

1. The Government has been implementing measures on paperless operation in the workplace. How many government departments will have finished turning their workplace paperless by this year? Is there any plan to go completely paperless in all government offices by a target date?

2. What are the relevant nature, objectives and contents of records management studies and reviews conducted by the department in the past financial year?

3. Regarding the “identification and preservation of records of archival value, valuable government publications and printed materials”, did the Government carry out any identification of valuable records or printed materials in the past 3 financial years? If yes, please set out, in table form, their titles, quantities and expenses involved.

Asked by: Hon HO Kwan-yiu, Junius (LegCo internal reference no.: 7) Reply:

1. The Government has all along been promoting the use of information technology among bureaux/departments (B/Ds) for enhancing work efficiency, so as to provide better services for the public and reduce the use of paper. Since 2011, the Innovation and Technology Bureau has started implementing electronic information management in the Government, including promoting the adoption of the electronic recordkeeping system (ERKS) in B/Ds to reduce the use of paper in official businesses, thereby strengthening records management and enhancing work efficiency.

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The Government Records Service (GRS) has been promoting electronic records management and providing support and assistance to B/Ds in collaboration with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Efficiency Office, enabling them to adopt or develop ERKS for enhancing the management of electronic records.

At present, 11 B/Ds have adopted or started using the ERKS, and 7 of them have ceased to adopt the “print-and-file” practice for filing of records so as to reduce paper consumption. In the Policy Address Supplement promulgated in October 2019, the Government has announced its decision to roll out the ERKS to all B/Ds by the end of 2025 to enhance efficiency in preserving and managing government records.

2. GRS has been adopting a two-pronged approach in assessing and reviewing the records management practices of B/Ds, i.e. through self-assessment conducted by B/Ds and departmental records management reviews conducted by GRS. Upon completion of these self-assessment and departmental reviews, the Director of Administration will convey the findings and recommendations for improvement to the heads of B/Ds concerned for their rectification as soon as possible. GRS will also closely monitor the progress of the B/Ds in implementing the recommendations to ensure that their records management practices comply with the requirements of the Government. In November 2018, GRS conducted a self-assessment records management review that covered all B/Ds. The aim of that review was to assess to what extent B/Ds had complied with the mandatory records management requirements and their progress in adopting the good practices in records management during the period from 2016 to 2018. The review covered B/Ds’ records management policies, responsibilities and training of records management personnel, establishment of recordkeeping systems, and the entire spectrum of records management issues ranging from records creation to disposal of records.

In the past financial year, GRS conducted in-depth reviews on the records management work of 2 departments to assess their awareness of, commitment to and involvement in practising good records management; evaluate their compliance with the mandatory records management requirements and adoption of good records management practices; and identify areas for improvement. These reviews also help GRS draw up insights for formulating records management recommendations applicable service-wide. The reviews covered the main aspects of records management, including records creation, classification, storage and disposal. During the reviews, the staff of GRS had visited the departments concerned and examined their records management programme through, inter alia, review of the records management documentation concerned, examination of recordkeeping systems, surveys, interviews and focus group discussions. Upon completion of the review, the Director of Administration had conveyed the findings of the reviews and recommendations for improvement to the heads of the departments concerned, who were required to submit a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations to GRS every 6 months until all improvement recommendations have been fully implemented.

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GRS has also launched a range of improvement measures in other work areas, including :

(a) providing comprehensive records management training to all levels of government officers, in particular the newly-recruited government officers. GRS has reviewed and formulated a 3-year training plan to increase the number of training targets on records management from about 4 000 to 10 000 per annum; (b) assisting all B/Ds in fully implementing the ERKS by the end of 2025; (c) conducting a comprehensive review of B/Ds’ records retention and disposal schedules by phases, so as to improve the disposal procedures and relevant records management practices and facilitate the timely transfer of records with archival value to GRS for proper retention; and (d) extending the service hours of the Public Records Office (PRO) Search Room of GRS to cover Saturday mornings for use of members of the public with prior appointment from April 2019 onwards.

3. Records appraisal is an important process for ascertaining the archival value of government records. GRS attaches great importance to this task. Making reference to the experience and standards of overseas jurisdictions, Archivist grade officers in GRS have developed a set of assessment guidelines where records meeting any of the following conditions may be selected for permanent retention:

(a) documenting or reflecting the organisation, functions and activities of government agencies;

(b) documenting the formulation process, implementation and outcome of significant policies, decisions, legislation and actions of the Government;

(c) documenting the impact of the decisions, policies and programmes of the Government upon the physical environment, community, organisations and individuals;

(d) documenting the interaction between the public and the Government as well as between the physical environment and the Government;

(e) documenting the legal rights and obligations of individuals, groups, organisations and the Government; or

(f) containing significant or unique information or aged documents that can enrich the understanding about the history, physical environment, society, culture, economy and people of Hong Kong.

The numbers, linear metres and subject matters of records appraised and transferred to GRS for permanent retention in the past 3 years are as follows:

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Records transferred to Records the GRS for appraised permanent Examples of subject matter of Year retention archival records Number Linear Number of Linear of metre records metre records Minutes and papers of the Executive Council from the Chief Executive’s Office; files relating to public letters and statements from local communities and organisations about the future of Hong Kong and constitutional package from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau; files relating to Sewerage Master Plans Study from the Environmental Protection Department; files relating to district administration from the Home Affairs Department; files 2017 75 376 2 339 50 655 614 relating to the resumption and clearance projects for Chek Lap Kok airport and Tung Chung development from the Lands Department; files relating to mail conveyance, parcels and stamp issuance from the Hongkong Post; files relating to examination and licensing matters of aircrew personnel from the Civil Aviation Department; and files relating to programmes administration from the Radio and Television Hong Kong, etc.

Files relating to photographs of Governors and Colonial Secretaries as well as minutes and papers of the Executive Council from the Chief Executive’s Office; files relating to visits and tours from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau; files relating to district administration as well as liaison 2018 133 737 3 004 82 076 606 with district-based community and organisations from the Home Affairs Department; meteorological charts from the Hong Kong Observatory; files relating to district and estate planning matters from the Housing Department; files relating to the Town Planning Board/Metro Planning Committee/Rural and New

Session 6 CSO - Page 51

Records transferred to Records the GRS for appraised permanent Examples of subject matter of Year retention archival records Number Linear Number of Linear of metre records metre records Town Planning Committee from the Lands Department; files relating to broadcasting and film censorship from the Office of Communications Authority; and files relating to urban renewal under Land Development Corporations Study from the Planning Department, etc.

Minutes and papers of the Executive Council from the Chief Executive’s Office; meteorological charts from the Hong Kong Observatory; files relating to the planning and design of elevated roads and the West Kowloon Highway from the Highways Department; files relating to drainage works, Harbour Area Treatment Scheme and departmental computerisation projects from the Drainage Services Department; files relating to applications for registration of 2019 132 032 4 029 55 223 610 societies from the Hong Kong Police Force; files relating to district administration, community involvement programmes and redevelopment of Shek Kip Mei Estate from the Home Affairs Department; files relating to road works, vehicle safety and transport management from the Transport Department; and files relating to labour legislation, studies on occupational safety, and rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities from the Labour Department, etc.

As for government publications and printed materials, the Central Preservation Library for Government Publications (CPL) selects and preserves government publications and printed materials with permanent retention value. B/Ds will provide CPL with a copy of new publication and printed materials, and CPL will select suitable library items for preservation. The quantities of publications and printed materials, mainly comprising

Session 6 CSO - Page 52 gazettes, annual reports, maps and posters published by B/Ds, etc., which CPL selected for preservation in the past 3 years are as follows:

Year No. of items received No. of items selected for preservation 2017 1 422 550 2018 1 598 533 2019 2 087 602

Note: The above figures are calculated by calendar year. We do not keep statistics in “linear metre” for selected library items.

The appraisal and preservation of records possessing archival value and government publications and printed materials are undertaken by archivists of PRO in GRS as part of their ongoing work. Therefore, GRS is unable to calculate the expenditure incurred on each work

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 53

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO014 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1598)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: It is stated under the Brief Description of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) that PICO promotes public participation in the policy formulation process. In this regard, will the Government inform this Committee of:

1. whether the Government has invited any local post-secondary institutions to participate in any policy formulation; if yes, set out in table form the names of the institutions/departments concerned and the policies involved;

2. the manpower and expenditure involved in the above service; and

3. the detailed justifications for an estimated increase of 38.3% in PICO’s expenditure over the previous year as stated in the Budget, and the distribution of the increased funding.

Asked by: Hon HO Kwan-yiu, Junius (LegCo internal reference no.: 8) Reply:

(1) and (2) Since its establishment, PICO has been conducting exchanges with stakeholders of different sectors, including tertiary institutions, public policy research institutions and think tanks, to gauge their views on public policies and social issues through various channels such as forums, seminars, conferences and focus groups. Moreover, PICO has been organising policy workshops on different topics since April 2019 for tertiary institutions, research institutions and think tanks to introduce their research projects and policy recommendations to the relevant bureaux/departments direct for their reference. Promoting public participation in policy formulation through liaising with different sectors is part of the daily work of PICO staff. We do not have a separate account of the manpower and expenditure involved in this duty.

Session 6 CSO - Page 54

(3) The estimated financial provision for PICO for 2020-21 is $47.3 million (38.3%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in grant of funding under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and increased requirement for commissioned studies. Within the provision, $27.3 million is earmarked for a special round of applications under the PPRFS launched in November 2019.

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 55

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO015 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2076)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Administration Wing has taken over the free legal advice service from the Home Affairs Bureau since 1 July 2018. Will the Government:

1. provide a breakdown in tabular form of the average waiting time for free legal advice service by members of the public in the past 3 financial years by District Office;

2. provide the information on the scope of free legal advice service for members of the public, the numbers of beneficiaries and cases in the past 3 financial years;

3. further to the above question, inform us of the number of lawyers participating in the scheme; the policy for the promotion and publicity of the scheme in this financial year; and the manpower and expenditure required?

Asked by: Hon HO Kwan-yiu, Junius (LegCo internal reference no.: 9) Reply:

Session 6 CSO - Page 56

DO Average waiting time (day) 2017 2018 2019 Central and Western 52.2 36.2 20.4 Eastern 49.0 34.3 17.4 Islands 50.1 35.1 18.4 Kwun Tong 57.1 41.7 24.9 Shatin 76.7 61.4 42.9 Tsuen Wan 64.5 49.4 31.5 Wan Chai 51.6 36.6 20.0 Wong Tai Sin 56.7 48.5 27.9 Yau Tsim Mong 61.8 48.2 36.0

2. FLAS provides free preliminary legal advice without means testing to members of the public as to their legal position in genuine cases. The number of cases handled under FLAS in the past 3 years is as follows:

The number of cases handled (cases) 2017 2018 2019 6 397 6 953 7 256

3. In 2019, the number of lawyers who registered as volunteer lawyers was 1 217. In 2020-21, the Government will continue to work with DLS and 2 legal professional bodies to encourage more voluntary lawyers to participate in FLAS. Publicity information is available at relevant court registries and offices, non-governmental organisations and on the internet.

DLS has a total of 3 staff members responsible for providing administrative support to the FLAS. The expenditure on FLAS in 2019 was $1.6 million.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 57

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO016 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0184)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: 1. Regarding the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research (SPPR) Funding Scheme, please set out the respective numbers of applications, numbers of projects which were granted funding, amounts of funding granted to the projects, titles of the projects and total amounts of funding granted in the past 5 years (2015-16 to 2019-20). 2. Among the projects funded by the PPR Funding Scheme and the SPPR Funding Scheme, how many of them had their funding support terminated prematurely in the past 5 years (2015-16 to 2019-20)? What were the reasons? How much public money was involved? Please provide the details.

Asked by: Hon IP Kin-yuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 31) Reply:

1. For the 5 financial years of 2015-16 and 2019-20, the former Central Policy Unit and the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) received a total of 778 applications under the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research (SPPR) Funding Scheme, of which 210 were received under the special round of PPR Funding Scheme (special round) launched in November 2019. The special round is specifically for funding local research institutions and think tanks to conduct research studies on topics relating to the underlying causes of the social incidents taken place since the second half of 2019 as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to deep-seated problems of society.

Between the 5 financial years of 2015-16 and 2019-20, a total of 150 research projects were approved under the above 2 schemes with a total allocation of about $124 million. The details are set out at Annex. The assessment for the applications under the special round in 2019-20 is at its final stage. Upon completion of the related procedures, PICO will start informing applicants of approved projects and disburse funding. Hence, we cannot provide

Session 6 CSO - Page 58 details of the approved projects at this stage. We will announce the application results after we have completed the assessment and approval procedures.

2. For the 5 financial years of 2015-16 and 2019-20, 1 policy research project under the PPR Funding Scheme was terminated due to withdrawal of application by the Principal Investigator. The details are as follows:

Fund Amount Institution/ Termination Project Title Awarded Spent Think Tank Date ($) ($) Investment Pattern and Performance of Mandatory EdUHK Provident Fund Scheme 336,390 0 26/3/2018 Members: A Historical Administrative Record Analysis

During the abovementioned period, no projects funded by the SPPR Funding Scheme were terminated before completion.

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Annex Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2015-16 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2015-16 CityU Making Policy for Child Care in Hong 476,123 First Kong Round 2 2015-16 CityU How to Improve Participatory 498,251 First Mechanisms in The Processes of Round Urban Redevelopment: The Case of Kowloon East (Hong Kong) 3 2015-16 Hang Seng Preventing Marginalization in Air 654,500 First Management Passenger and Freight Businesses - A Round College^ Global Network Decision Support System 4 2015-16 HKBU Shaping Arts Development and 332,350 First Education in Facilitating the Role of Round Hong Kong as a Cultural Hub of the Region 5 2015-16 CUHK Enforcing and Complying with 195,332 First Voluntary Agreements as an Round Alternative Environmental Policy Instrument 6 2015-16 HKIEd# Impact of Family Friendly Policies: A 448,945 First Panel Study in Hong Kong Round

7 2015-16 HKIEd# A Panel Study of Media Effects on 667,176 First Hong Kong Youth’s Political Round Participation 8 2015-16 PolyU Civil and Criminal Liabilities for Ship- 278,530 First Source Pollution in Hong Kong: Round Taking Stock of the Present and Seeing the Way Forward 9 2015-16 PolyU Does Dual-Class Share Structure 898,840 First Create Value for Shareholders in the Round Long Run? Evidence from an Empirical Study of Global Markets with Implications for Hong Kong Stock-Listing Policies 10 2015-16 CityU Sustainability and Social Mobility in 548,775 Second Professional Services: A Case Study of Round Accounting Profession in Hong Kong

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 11 2015-16 CityU Exploration and Evaluation of Policy 212,175 Second Options for Tackling the Illegal Round Subdivided Unit Problem in Hong Kong 12 2015-16 HKBU Impacts of the Residential Physical and 499,878 Second Social Environment on Daily Walking Round Behavior of Older Adults in Hong Kong 13 2015-16 HKIEd# Towards a Refugee Policy for an 652,303 Second Inclusive Hong Kong: Enhancing the Round Status of China’s International City 14 2015-16 PolyU Evaluation of Green Practices for 294,400 Second Grocery Retailers in Hong Kong and Round the Policy Implications for Sustainable Development 15 2015-16 PolyU The Effect of Isomorphic Pressure for 470,695 Second Building Information Modelling in Round Hong Kong Construction Industry 16 2015-16 HKU Birds of a Feather: Cross-Group 242,236 Second Interaction between Mainland and Round Local University Students in Hong Kong 17 2015-16 HKU Public Transport Policy Measures to 526,700 Second Improve the Mobility of the Elderly in Round Hong Kong 18 2015-16 CityU Discontinuing Youth’s Violent 817,420 Third Involvements with Social Capital Round Development

19 2015-16 HKBU An Exploration of School Fieldtrip to 630,766 Third Mainland in Hong Kong Secondary Round Schools: Students’ Self-Authoring Civic Identity 20 2015-16 CUHK Immigrant Entrepreneurship among 722,455 Third Mainland Chinese University Round Graduates in Hong Kong: An Empirical Study with Multiple Perspectives 21 2015-16 CUHK Impact of Social Mobility on the 1,636,653 Third Political Attitudes and Behaviours of Round Young People: A Comparative Study of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao

Session 6 CSO - Page 61

No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 22 2015-16 CUHK Designing a Sustainable Public- 552,000 Third Private-Partnership Program to Round Enhance Diabetes Care and Evaluating Its Impact Using an Outcomes Simulation Model 23 2015-16 HKU A Sustainable Tourism and Mobility 690,000 Third Framework for Assessing the Effects Round of the Individual Visit Scheme on the Public Transportation System in Hong Kong 24 2015-16 CityU Tenant Purchase, Assisted Home 657,296 Fourth Ownership and Social and Residential Round Mobility

25 2015-16 Civic The First Baseline Study of the General 838,120 Fourth Exchange Public’s Awareness and Attitudes Round Towards Biodiversity Conservation in Hong Kong 26 2015-16 HKIEd# Enhancing Executive Functioning of 856,452 Fourth Children Living in Poverty: A Round Randomized Experiment Study 27 2015-16 PolyU Electrification of Single-Deck Bus and 700,000 Fourth Minibus in Hong Kong Round

28 2015-16 PolyU Toward a Better Understanding of the 463,025 Fourth Chinese Mindset in Cruise Tourism Round Development: A Conjoint Analysis of Chinese Travelers’ Preferences for Cruising Attributes 29 2015-16 HKUST Carbon Trading in International 195,500 Fourth Climate Cooperation and Its Round Implications to Hong Kong

Session 6 CSO - Page 62

Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2016-17 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2016-17 CityU A Pan-Asian Field Study of Corporate 655,500 First Awareness to Information Security and Round Preparedness Against Cybercrimes 2 2016-17 CityU An Experimental Study of National 415,150 First Identity Among Hong Kong Youth Round

3 2016-17 CityU The “Citizen Satisfaction Assessment 961,400 First Tool”: Applying Expectancy Round Disconfirmation Theory to Public Services in Hong Kong 4 2016-17 LU Hong Kong Non-Governmental 930,460 First Welfare Organisations in Mainland Round China: Services, Challenges and Opportunities 5 2016-17 CUHK Impacts of Implementing “Low- 999,299 First income Working Family Allowance” Round on Labour Market Situation and Quality of Life of Low Income Working Families in Hong Kong 6 2016-17 CUHK Attitudes and Levels of Support 981,966 First Toward Same-Sex Civil Union and Round Same-Sex Marriage Legislation among the General Public and Homosexual People in Hong Kong - A Comparative Study 7 2016-17 HKIEd# Hong Kong Youths’ National Identity: 403,880 First Impacts of Mainland Exchange Round Programmes, Study Tours and Volunteer Activities 8 2016-17 PolyU Developing A Globalised Industry 611,225 First under the Context of Territorial Policy Round - The Development of Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Industry in Singapore and Hong Kong 9 2016-17 PolyU Association Among Father 649,035 First Involvement in Pregnancy and Round Childbirth, Pregnancy Violence and Health Outcomes: Does It Help Promote Good Health Among Newborns, Mothers, and Fathers?

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 10 2016-17 The Open Feasibility Study of Old Age Pension 345,028 First University Scheme in Hong Kong: An Round of Hong Employee’s Perspective Kong 11 2016-17 HKU Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Guangzhou as a 605,337 First Multi-gateway Trading City-region for Round Cross-border e-retailing: A Geographical Analysis 12 2016-17 HKU Financial Impacts of Family 559,632 First Caregiving: An Investigation of the Round Moderating Effects of Workplace Accommodative Measures and Domestic Helpers 13 2016-17 HKU Creative Industries in Flux: A Critical 500,000 First Investigation into the Challenges, Round Agency and Potential of Cultural and Creative Workers in Hong Kong 14 2016-17 CUHK Achieving Sustainable Urban Park 340,786 Second Management in Hong Kong through Round the Development of Indicators 15 2016-17 EdUHK Youth Radicalism in Hong Kong: 569,905 Second Exploring Changes in Adolescents’ Round Civic Consciousness and Attitudes to the Nation 16 2016-17 PolyU Exploring the Effects of Airbnb on the 256,818 Second Hong Kong Tourism Industry Round

17 2016-17 HKU A Study on Population Dynamics in 617,298 Second One Belt One Road: Opportunities and Round Challenges 18 2016-17 HKU Performance of the Self-assessment 561,547 Second Practice of Service Performance Round Monitoring System 19 2016-17 HKU Demarcation or Integration?: 399,326 Second Improving Effectiveness of Traditional Round Chinese Medicine Use in Hong Kong 20 2016-17 HKBU World Values Survey 2017: 1,025,243 Third Generating Data for Trust Round Maintenance, Repair, and Better Governance in Post-Occupy Hong Kong 21 2016-17 CUHK A Study on the Development of 480,801 Third Palliative and End-of-Life Care Round Services in Hong Kong

Session 6 CSO - Page 64

No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 22 2016-17 EdUHK Promotion of Volunteerism among 712,307 Third Hong Kong Retirees: An Intervention Round Study

23 2016-17 EdUHK Investment Pattern and Performance of 0 Third Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme (Withdrawal) Round Members: A Historical Administrative Record Analysis 24 2016-17 PolyU An Empirical Study of the Town 369,909 Third Planning Board’s Planning Control Round Decisions on Residential Development Applicants since Hong Kong’s Handover to China 25 2016-17 HKUST Energy Behavior Patterns in Hong 568,445 Third Kong: The Role of Bounded Round Rationality and Peer Pressure in Air Conditioner Use 26 2016-17 CityU Developing Appropriate Typical 314,928 Fourth Weather Data for Applications in Round Building Related Codes of Practices and Design Guidelines in Hong Kong 27 2016-17 CityU The Development of a New Media 550,620 Fourth Expertise in the Creative Economy of Round Hong Kong 28 2016-17 LU One Belt One Road: China’s Motives 468,050 Fourth and Hong Kong’s Roles Round

29 2016-17 LU Deriving Public Policy for Hong Kong 691,783 Fourth as an Infrastructure Financing Hub and Round Super-connector in Project Finance: The Belt and Road Initiative 30 2016-17 CUHK Knowledge and Perceptions towards 200,000 Fourth Gender-Based Violence of Minority Round Girls in Hong Kong 31 2016-17 HKU A Survey Experiment on Discontent 220,368 Fourth Among the Youth: Welfare or Politics? Round

32 2016-17 HKU The Experience of Stigma in Patients 346,293 Fourth with Mental Disorders: Are There Round Improvements in the Past 15 Years?

Session 6 CSO - Page 65

Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2017-18 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2017-18 HKBU Investigating Hong Kong Students’ 492,982 First Critical News Literacy in the Age of Round Social Media 2 2017-18 HKBU Differential In-migration, Housing 825,125 First Access and Spatial Segregation: Hong Round Kong since 1997 3 2017-18 Hong Kong From Ketamine to Ice: Neutralisation 422,464 First Shue Yan Techniques and Risk Perception of Round University Adolescent Drug Abusers 4 2017-18 LU Construction of Mainland China - 494,960 First Hong Kong Economic Integration Round Index and Its Application to Facilitate Public Policy Research in Hong Kong 5 2017-18 CUHK Maintaining Hong Kong Aviation-hub 481,491 First Position Under the ASEAN - China Air Round Transport Agreement 6 2017-18 EdUHK Life Course Effects on Marital 500,000 First Stability: Experience of Remarried Round Mainland Chinese Migrant Women in Hong Kong 7 2017-18 PolyU Facilitating the Diffusion of Building 716,335 First Information Modelling in the Hong Round Kong Construction Industry: A Network Perspective 8 2017-18 HKU Exploring the Motivations, Incentive 297,032 First Designs, and Performance of Open Round Innovation in Hong Kong 9 2017-18 HKU Associations between Emerging 780,234 First Political Ideology, Political Round Participation and Social Media Use: Making Sense of the Connections between “Localism”, “Populism”, and “Post-materialism” in Hong Kong 10 2017-18 CityU Enhancing the Environmental 304,750 Second Effectiveness of Overall Thermal Round Transfer Value Regulation for Green Building Design in Hong Kong 11 2017-18 CUHK Out-of-home Activities and Social 397,853 Second Exclusion among Hong Kong’s Aging Round Population: A Study of the Elderly’s Activity-travel Patterns and Its Implication on Well-being

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 12 2017-18 CityU Demographic and Social Indicators of 842,950 Third Youth Volunteering in Hong Kong Round

13 2017-18 LU Relationship between Poverty and 700,000 Third Neurocognitive Skills Round

14 2017-18 CUHK Investigating the Preference, Attitude 490,907 Third and Perception of Frail Older People Round on Consumer-directed Long-term Care in Hong Kong 15 2017-18 CUHK Promoting e-mobility in Hong Kong: 530,725 Third Institutional and Spatial Contexts, Round Public Acceptance, and the Location Choice of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities 16 2017-18 HKU Opening Doors, Creating Pathways - A 400,000 Third Qualitative Study of Social Harms and Round Service Access of Young People from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds in Hong Kong 17 2017-18 HKU Financial Inclusion and Bank Account 295,550 Third Opening: Deploying Financial Round Technology and Regulatory Technology for Improving Banking Services Accessibility Inside Hong Kong’s Anti-Money Laundering Law 18 2017-18 CUHK Tracking the Future: The Perception of 345,000 Fourth Future and Aspirations of Hong Kong Round Youth 19 2017-18 EdUHK Global Governance Hub: A New 957,766 Fourth Dimension in Hong Kong’s Global Round City Strategy? 20 2017-18 PolyU Family Policies, Social Norms and 764,750 Fourth Fertility Decisions: A Survey Round Experiment 21 2017-18 PolyU Clear up Toxic Smog and Improve Air 498,410 Fourth Quality in Hong Kong Round

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Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2018-19 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2018-19 CityU Investigating the Feasibility of 320,000 First Mandatory Implementation of Life Round Cycle Assessment on Renewable Energy Systems for Green Building Design in Hong Kong 2 2018-19 EdUHK Career and Life Planning for Hong 499,627 First Kong Youth Development: Challenges Round and Opportunities 3 2018-19 PolyU The Possibility of Reducing 306,691 First Illuminance Level by Using LED Round Lighting Products with High Colour Rendering Index for Energy Reduction in Green Buildings 4 2018-19 PolyU Employing People with Disabilities in 120,175 First the Hong Kong Hotel Industry: Round Perspectives of Employers 5 2018-19 PolyU Examining Cross-national Destination 320,049 First Image of Hong Kong with Big Data Round Analytics and Social and Cultural Distance 6 2018-19 HKU Ambient Ozone Levels in Hong Kong: 500,000 First The Lower The Better? Round

7 2018-19 HKU Re-establishing Ferry’s Key Position 810,049 First in the Sustainable Transport System of Round Hong Kong 8 2018-19 HKBU Engaging the Community to Develop a 632,500 Second Model for Sustainable Energy Futures: Round A Case Study of Two Prospective Solar Communities in Hong Kong 9 2018-19 EdUHK How to Increase the Demand for 1,086,951 Second Private Long-term Care Insurance in Round Hong Kong?

10 2018-19 PolyU An Analytical Study on Preferences of 380,944 Second the Elderly in Visiting Public Open Round Spaces

11 2018-19 PolyU Made in China 2025: The Challenges 501,070 Second and Opportunities of the Hong Kong Round Design Industry

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 12 2018-19 PolyU Simulating the Impact of Construction 625,600 Second Industrialization Policies on Its Update Round in Hong Kong: A Socio-technical System Perspective 13 2018-19 HKU Defining Sonhood: The Exploration of 607,582 Second Lived Experience of the Caregiving Round Sons in Their Late Adulthood in Hong Kong 14 2018-19 HKU Hong Kong Youths’ Attitudes towards 880,918 Second Suicide, Coping Strategies and Online Round Help-seeking 15 2018-19 EdUHK Challenges and Opportunities with 784,300 Third Hong Kong Students’ Science, Round Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Aspirations 16 2018-19 PolyU Strategies and Measures for 605,015 Third Construction and Demolition Waste Round Management of Refurbishing/Renovating Existing Buildings in Hong Kong 17 2018-19 PolyU An Investigation of the Price and 422,740 Third Rental Effects of “Green” Buildings in Round Hong Kong’s Housing Market and Its Implications for Policy 18 2018-19 PolyU Impact of Short-term Study in 594,435 Third Mainland China Programme on Hong Round Kong Local University Students’ Intercultural Competence, Perception and Attitude about Mainland China, and National Identity 19 2018-19 HKU Promoting Science, Technology, 575,170 Third Engineering, and Mathematics Round Education in Hong Kong: Using Analytics-supported E-learning to Enhance Student Attitudes and Achievement in Science 20 2018-19 CUHK Meso-institution as Agent of Social 550,000 Fourth Mobilization and Consensus Building: Round The Case of Tongxianghui

21 2018-19 CUHK Are Cities in Guangdong-Hong Kong- 399,044 Fourth Macao Bay Area Development Round Attractive to University Students in Hong Kong? From Perceived Image to Locational Decisions

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 22 2018-19 CUHK A Study on the View of Hong Kong 865,398 Fourth Parents on Secondary Use of Dried Round Blood Spots in Newborn Screening Program - Implications on Evidence- based Policies 23 2018-19 PolyU Investigating the Potential for Robotic 292,019 Fourth Technology Adoption in the Hong Round Kong Tourism Industry 24 2018-19 HKUST Trans-regional Air Pollution Control in 631,966 Fourth the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Round Greater Bay Area: The Interplay between Science and Policy 25 2018-19 HKU “Finding the Needles in a Haystack”: 447,350 Fourth Identification of the Illegal Dumping Round of Construction Waste Using Big Data

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Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2019-20 CUHK Education as Soft Power: Hong Kong- 495,559 First trained Non-local University Students’ Round Connections and Their Career Plan in Hong Kong 2 2019-20 EdUHK Investigating Space in Kindergartens 537,050 First under the Free Quality Kindergarten Round Education Scheme 3 2019-20 EdUHK The Long March towards 741,761 First Professionalization: Study of Chinese Round Medicine Practitioners’ Attitudes towards Professional Development in Hong Kong 4 2019-20 HKBU How Can the United Kingdom’s Elite 601,432 First Sport Success Inspire Elite Sport Round Policy in Hong Kong: The Cases of Cycling, Swimming and Taekwondo 5 2019-20 HKU Understanding the Stigma in 612,080 First Promoting Community Recovery and Round Integration for Persons with Mental Illness in Hong Kong 6 2019-20 HKU Stalking: Intimate Partner Violence 294,630 First and Debt Collection Problems in Hong Round Kong 7 2019-20 CUHK Health Behaviour in School-aged 985,000 Second Children Study in Hong Kong: Round Assessing the Physical, Emotional and Social Well-being 8 2019-20 CUHK Hong Kong’s Logistics Industry 552,424 Second Development: Development Strategies Round in the New Spatial Context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 9 2019-20 EdUHK Well-being of Filipino Domestic 711,620 Second Workers in Hong Kong: A Public Round Policy Priority for the Future 10 2019-20 EdUHK To Claim or Not to Claim: Towards a 898,610 Second Better Understanding of the Take-up Round Rates of Welfare Schemes Targeting Hong Kong Older Adults and the Stigma Attached to Them

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 11 2019-20 EdUHK Advancing Job-and Health-associated 882,395 Second Outcomes for Employees of Small and Round Medium Enterprises in Hong Kong: A Study on Workplace Supervisor Support with Smartphone-based and Capacity-building Interventions 12 2019-20 EdUHK Hong Kong’s Professional Sector 835,130 Second under Regionalization Round 13 2019-20 LU Housing as an Intergenerational 868,278 Second Project-parental Resources, Parental Round Strategies and the Housing Opportunities of Young People in Hong Kong 14 2019-20 LU Privacy Challenges and Big Data in 268,870 Second Smart City Round 15 2019-20 BU A Study of Development of Esports in 573,637 Third Hong Kong Round 16 2019-20 CityU Investigation on Incorporating 333,118 Third Adjacent Shading Effect into Overall Round Thermal Transfer Value Regulation for Energy-Efficient Building Design in Hong Kong 17 2019-20 CityU Correlates of Family Strengths in Hong 600,000 Third Kong - Implication for Family Round Wellbeing Policy 18 2019-20 Civic Managing Vibrant Streets: Street 1,300,000 Third Exchange Performance Policy in Hong Kong Round 19 2019-20 CUHK Improving the Effectiveness of Cross- 364,268 Third boundary Securities Law Enforcement Round Between Hong Kong and Mainland China 20 2019-20 EdUHK Decomposing Between- and Within- 360,578 Third group Income Inequality in Hong Round Kong: Politics, Welfare, and Identity

21 2019-20 EdUHK Investigating the Effectiveness of an 995,026 Third Information Technology Round Entrepreneurship Training Program for Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong

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No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 22 2019-20 HKU The Contribution of Minority 824,653 Third Languages and Dialects to Hong Round Kong’s Linguistic Landscape 23 2019-20 LU The Greater Bay Area and Career 500,000 Third Opportunity for Hong Kong Youth: Round Integrating Big Data Analysis and Survey Experiments 24 2019-20 PolyU Developing Hong Kong’s Smart 411,355 Third Tourism Round 25 2019-20 BU Complex Housing Tenure and 653,200 Fourth Residential Relocation: the Case of the Round Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 26 2019-20 CityU Developing and Testing a Behavioral 908,293 Fourth Theory of Performance Information Round Use for Hong Kong: Experimental Evidence on Cognitive Biases 27 2019-20 CUHK Teachers’ Concerns about STEM 399,625 Fourth Education: A Territory-wide Round Evaluation 28 2019-20 CUHK Regulating Cross-border Data: A 536,199 Fourth Public Policy Framework for Hong Round Kong 29 2019-20 HKU Facilitating Everyday Cross-border 699,962 Fourth Monetary Transactions and the Round Potential of Digitization in the Greater Bay Area 30 2019-20 PolyU Solving Public Housing Problem in 878,025 Fourth Hong Kong by Adopting Modular Round Integrated Construction (MiC) to Build the Transitional House in Brownfields 31 2019-20 PolyU Effects of Environment-related 497,030 Fourth Experiences on Older Person’s Well- Round being in Hong Kong’s “Double Ageing” Context: A Person- environment Perspective

# With effect from 27 May 2016, “The Hong Kong Institute of Education” has been renamed as “The Education University of Hong Kong”.

^ With effect from 30 October 2018, the term “Hang Seng Management College” has been renamed as “The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong”.

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2016-17 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2016-17 CityU Hong Kong Professional Services in the 3,400,000 Co-Evolving Belt-Road Initiative: Innovative Agency for Sustainable Development 2 2016-17 HKUST Trade and Investment under “One Belt 3,400,000 One Road” and Implications for Hong Kong 3 2016-17 HKU The Implementation of “One Country 3,000,000 Two Systems” in Hong Kong

Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2017-18 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2017-18 HKUST Strategies for Enhancing Walkability in 3,500,000 Hong Kong via Smart Policies 2 2017-18 HKU Antimicrobial Resistance Policy 3,500,000 Framework in Big Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) 3 2017-18 HKU In Search of New Economic Cooperation 3,500,000 Models Between Hong Kong and the Big Bay Area

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2018-19 Financial Year No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 1 2018-19 CUHK Moving to and Working in the 3,706,000 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Among Hong Kong Residents: Intention, Experience and Settlement Outcomes 2 2018-19 HKUST Accelerating the Development of a 4,374,000 Global Innovation and Technology Hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area: The Roles of Public Research Universities in Hong Kong 3 2018-19 HKU Boosting Construction Waste Material 2,902,000 Sharing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Bay Area

Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO017 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3105)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the salaries, allowances, job-related allowances and related expenses to be incurred by the Office of the Financial Secretary in 2020-21, please tabulate the following information:

(1) the estimated expenditures on the (i) salaries, (ii) benefits and allowances, (iii) job- related allowances, (iv) Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contributions and (v) other allowances and contributions (please specify) of (a) the Financial Secretary (FS) and (b) the Political Assistant (PA) to FS in this financial year. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Salaries Benefits Job-related MPF Other and allowances contributions allowances allowances and contributions (please specify) (a) FS (b) PA to FS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

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(2) the estimated expenditures on the benefits and allowances for (a) FS and (b) PA to FS in this financial year, including the following 4 categories of expenditures: (i) their medical and dental benefits, (ii) the medical and dental benefits of their spouses, (iii) their leave passage allowances and (iv) the leave passage allowances of their spouses. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Medical and Medical and Leave passage Leave passage dental benefits dental benefits allowances allowances of of spouses spouses (a) FS (b) PA to FS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

(3) the estimated expenditures on the (i) government vehicle services and (ii) security arrangements for (a) FS and (b) PA to FS in this financial year. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) Cars and chauffeur Security arrangements services (a) FS (b) PA to FS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

(4) the estimated expenditures on the job-related allowances for (a) FS and (b) PA to FS in this financial year, including the following 2 categories of expenditures: (i) official entertainment and (ii) passage for duty visits. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; and (i) (ii) Official entertainment Passage for duty visits (a) FS (b) PA to FS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

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(5) the estimated expenditures on the end-of-contract gratuities for (a) FS and (b) PA to FS upon the completion of their terms of office, including the following 2 categories of expenditures: (i) end-of-contract gratuity and (ii) related allowances. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above. (i) (ii) End-of-contract gratuity Related allowances (a) FS (b) PA to FS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

Asked by: Hon KWOK Ka-ki (LegCo internal reference no.: 1) Reply:

In the 2020-21 Budget, the provisions earmarked for remuneration for the posts of the Financial Secretary (FS) and the Political Assistant (PA) to FS are about $4.47 million and $1.46 million respectively, and the provisions earmarked for the Mandatory Provident Fund contributions for FS and PA to FS are $18,000 each. As approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration for politically- appointed officials (PAOs) will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C). The relevant expenses for 2020- 21 will be reflected in the revised estimate for the same year. The adjustment to cash remuneration expenses of PAOs will be met by internal redeployment of resources in relevant bureaux/offices and no additional provision is required.

FS and PA to FS as well as their families are entitled to the medical and dental benefits applicable to civil servants and their families. FS is provided with the free use of a car and chauffeur in Hong Kong at his discretion, whereas the use of government cars by PA to FS is governed by the rules and regulations applicable to civil servants at comparable ranks.

In the 2020-21 Budget, we have earmarked $1,900,000 and $110,000 for duty visits and official entertainment respectively for the Office of the FS. About $380,000 has also been earmarked for FS’ non-accountable entertainment allowance tied to his official residence. Apart from these, no other allowances are paid to FS. Also, no other allowances are paid to PA to FS. According to the remuneration package for PAOs of the SAR Government, FS and PA to FS are not entitled to contract gratuity.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 78

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO018 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2726)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

(1) the estimated expenditures on the (i) salaries, (ii) benefits and allowances, (iii) job- related allowances, (iv) Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contribution and (v) other allowances and contribution (please specify) of (a) the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and (b) the Political Assistant (PA) to CS in this financial year. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments, but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (c) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Salaries Benefits Job-related MPF Other and allowances contribution allowances allowances and contribution (please specify) (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

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(2) the estimated expenditures on the benefits and allowances for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS in this financial year, including the following 4 categories of expenditures: (i) their medical and dental benefits, (ii) the medical and dental benefits of their spouses, (iii) their leave passage allowances and (iv) the leave passage allowances of their spouses. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (c) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Medical and Medical and Leave passage Leave passage dental benefits dental benefits allowances allowances of of spouses spouses (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

(3) the estimated expenditures on the (i) government vehicle services and (ii) security arrangements for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS in this financial year. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (c) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) Cars and chauffeur Security arrangements services (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

(4) the estimated expenditures on the job-related allowances for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS in this financial year, including the following 2 categories of expenditures: (i) official entertainment and (ii) passage for duty visits. If the above estimated expenditures of the 2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (c) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; and (i) (ii) Official entertainment Passage for duty visits (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

Session 6 CSO - Page 80

(5) the estimated expenditures on the end-of-contract gratuities for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS upon the completion of their terms of office, including the following 2 categories of expenditures: (i) end-of-contract gratuities and (ii) related allowances. If the above estimated expenditures of the2 politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (c) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above. (i) (ii) End-of-contract Related allowances gratuity (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

Asked by: Hon KWOK Wing-hang, Dennis (LegCo internal reference no.: 67) Reply:

In the 2020-21 Budget, the provisions earmarked for remuneration for the posts of the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Political Assistant (PA) to CS are about $4.63 million and $1.04 million respectively, and the provision earmarked for the Mandatory Provident Fund contribution for PA to CS is $18,000. As approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration for politically-appointed officials (PAOs) will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C). The relevant expenses for 2020-21 will be reflected in the revised estimate for the same year. The adjustment to cash remuneration expenses of PAOs will be met by internal redeployment of resources in relevant bureaux/offices and no additional provision is required.

CS and PA to CS as well as their family members are entitled to the medical and dental benefits applicable to civil servants and their family members. CS is provided with the free use of a car and chauffeur in Hong Kong at his discretion, whereas the use of government cars by PA to CS is governed by the rules and regulations applicable to civil servants at comparable ranks.

In the 2020-21 Budget, we have earmarked $900,000 and $70,000 for duty visits and official entertainment respectively for the Office of the CS. About $490,000 has also been earmarked for CS’ non-accountable entertainment allowance tied to his official residence. Apart from these, no other allowances are paid to CS. Also, no other allowances are paid to PA to CS. According to the remuneration package for PAOs of the SAR Government, CS and PA to CS are not entitled to contract gratuity.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 81

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO019 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2768)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In the 2018-19 Budget, a sum of about $500 million has been earmarked for setting up a steering committee to co-ordinate, review and monitor work on ethnic minorities. A. Please inform the Council the terms of reference and membership of the steering committee under the Chief Secretary, as well as the positions and ranks of the members if they are government officials. B. Please provide the budget plan, the key support areas, and the project status in which the $500 million are spent.

C. The latest work plan and follow-up work of the steering committee and whether there is any timetable for the work? If yes, what are the details? If no, what are the reasons?

D. The total number of meetings held by the steering committee and the individuals and organisations with whom it has met and discussed the support for ethnic minorities so far? What are the details? Would the Government undertake to hold discussions with members of the public and report the work progress to this Committee on a regular basis?

Asked by: Hon HO Kwan-yiu, Junius (LegCo internal reference no.: 6) Reply:

The Steering Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (the Steering Committee), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, is tasked to co-ordinate cross-bureau/ inter-departmental efforts on the support for ethnic minorities. The terms of reference of the Steering Committee are:

(i) to co-ordinate, review and explore policies and measures with the objective of facilitating equal access to public services by ethnic minorities so that they can better integrate into the community, become self-reliant and move upwards along the social ladder;

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(ii) to monitor the implementation of relevant policies and measures to ensure that the intended objective is met; and (iii) to engage stakeholders to strengthen support for ethnic minorities.

The membership of the Steering Committee comprises Directors of Bureaux who oversee the provision of key support services relevant to ethnic minorities, including the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Secretary for the Civil Service, Secretary for Education, Secretary for Food and Health, Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Secretary for Security. Depending on the issues to be discussed, other Directors of Bureaux and Heads of Departments will also attend the meetings of the Steering Committee.

After considering how to make the best use of the $500 million earmarked in the 2018-19 Budget, the Steering Committee co-ordinated and formulated a series of new measures covering education, employment, health, social welfare and social integration to enhance support for ethnic minorities. These measures were announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2018 Policy Address” and “The Chief Executive’s 2019 Policy Address”, details of which can be found in the relevant leaflet (https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2018/eng/pdf/Leaflet_support.pdf) and Chapter 6 of the 2019 Policy Address Supplement (https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2019/eng/pdf/supplement_6.pdf).

In the 4 financial years from 2019-20 to 2022-23, the estimated expenditure on the 2 rounds of new measures mentioned above is set out as follows:

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Approximate Measures Amount ($ million) Recurrent Measures Education 1. Enhance the subsidy for kindergartens admitting non-Chinese 139.7 speaking students 2. Provide additional funding support to public sector mainstream 79.7 schools admitting non-Chinese speaking students with special educational needs 3. Provide all schools admitting a relatively small number of non- 145.7 Chinese speaking students with a new two-tiered subsidy with additional funding Employment 4. Launch a pilot programme in conjunction with non- 15.1 governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide employment services for ethnic minority job seekers through a case management approach Social Welfare 5. Commission NGOs to set up designated outreaching teams to 71.3 connect ethnic minorities in need to mainstream welfare services 6. Enhance manpower support for the Social Welfare Department 3.3 (SWD) to facilitate better service planning and co-ordination on welfare service support for ethnic minorities 7. Strengthen prevention and support service for ethnic minorities 6.8 against domestic and sexual violence 8. Provide additional subsidy for special child care centres and 26.3 early education and training centres with pre-school ethnic minority children with special needs admitted

9. Set up specialised ethnic minority units in 5 parents/relatives 21.6 resources centres for persons with disabilities Social Integration 10. Improve the “Administrative Guidelines on Promotion of 4.3 Racial Equality” for application to all Government bureaux and departments and related organisations providing services to ethnic minorities 11. Enhance interpretation and translation services in the CHEER 48.4 Centre and introduce new services in Vietnamese

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Time-Limited Recurrent and Non-Recurrent Measures Education 12. Support non-Chinese speaking students in their learning of 75.0 Chinese History using the Chinese language, and continue to commission tertiary institutions to provide professional support services for schools on Chinese language learning and teaching of non-Chinese speaking students 13. Strengthen parent education of parents of non-Chinese 9.0 speaking students to help them support their children’s learning Employment 14. Enhance recruitment promotion and outreaching efforts to 5.3 encourage ethnic minorities to consider a career in the disciplined forces, and provide a short-term internship programme in the Government for non-ethnic Chinese university students 15. Enhance manpower support for the Labour Department to 10.4 implement the pilot programme Health 16. Arrange translation and production of more publicity and 8.9 education materials to enable ethnic minorities to make better use of services offered by the Department of Health and enhance the effectiveness of health education on communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and mental health, etc. Social Welfare 17. Launch an “Ethnic Minority District Ambassador” pilot scheme 24.3 to employ more ethnic minorities in SWD and subvented NGOs to enhance services for ethnic minorities provided by district centres/ service units Social Integration 18. Strengthen services of support service centres for ethnic 57.2 minorities and organise more district-based activities to encourage interaction and exchange between ethnic minorities and local communities 19. Strengthen engagement of ethnic minority children and youth 69.0 through outreaching to schools by the disciplined forces and Junior Police Call programmes 20. Provide more cultural sensitivity/equal opportunities training 2.3 for civil service new recruits and front-line staff

Looking forward, the Steering Committee will continue to focus on monitoring the implementation of these measures and reviewing their effectiveness, as well as engaging with stakeholders for their views on enhancing the relevant measures.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 85

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO020 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1841)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In September 2019, a Community Dialogue session was held by the Chief Executive together with some Principal Officials at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai where people from all walks of life were invited to express their views to the Government, with a view to healing social division. What were the expenditures, manpower arrangements and effectiveness of this event?

Asked by: Hon LAU Ip-keung, Kenneth (LegCo internal reference no.: 61) Reply:

The Community Dialogue held on 26 September 2019 had incurred event expenses of about $432,000. Apart from the Dialogue Office, departments including the Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Information Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Radio Television Hong Kong have provided manpower support for the event.

Overall speaking, the Community Dialogue session was smoothly conducted, facilitating a candid exchange between about 150 members of the public and the Chief Executive as well as Principal Officials, and enhancing understanding of the respective views. While we have not been able to conduct the second Community Dialogue due to various reasons over the past few months, the Chief Executive and Principal Officials have actively engaged in dialogues with people from different backgrounds, sectors and age groups in the community through different means. Going forward, the Government will continue to listen to the people’s views through different channels to ensure that our policies would better meet their aspirations.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO021 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2614)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: It is mentioned in Note (b) of paragraph 14 under Section III of Appendix A that for 2020- 21, the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 1.5% represents the mid-point of the range forecast of 0.5% to 2.5% for the calendar year 2020. Would the Government advise this Committee of the following: 1. the source from which the “range forecast of 0.5% to 2.5%” has been derived, the models and assumptions involved, and the date of last update; and 2. the rationale for using the mid-point as nominal GDP growth.

Asked by: Hon LEUNG Kenneth (LegCo internal reference no.: 105) Reply:

As announced in the 2020-21 Budget (the Budget), nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is forecast to increase by 0.5% to 2.5% in 2020, which is derived from the forecast rates of change in real GDP and GDP deflator as released in parallel. Real GDP growth is forecast to range from -1.5% to 0.5% in 2020, having taken into account the up-to-date external and local developments when the Budget was delivered and the major risk factors affecting the near-term economic outlook, including the COVID-19 epidemic, the local social incidents, US-Mainland trade relations, as well as the boosting effect from the measures in the Budget and the additional helping measures introduced since August 2019. On prices, with envisaged modest global inflation and subdued local economic conditions, overall price pressure should show some easing. The GDP deflator is forecast to rise by 2% in 2020, slightly lower than the increase of 2.4% in 2019.

It is an established practice to use the mid-point of the range forecast of nominal GDP growth as one of the assumptions in the Medium Range Forecast. Government agencies elsewhere also adopt a similar approach in releasing their range forecasts of some economic data.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO022 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2661)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: It is learnt that the Legal Aid Services Council (LASC) recommended the establishment of a publicly funded scheme to ensure that detainees can have access to legal advice on their rights once their liberty is restricted. LASC has also proposed that the scheme be introduced on a pilot basis first at 4 representative police stations. Please give details on the Government’s follow-up action and implementation timetable for implementing the recommendation, and the relevant plan, estimates and staffing establishment in 2020-21.

Asked by: Hon LEUNG Kenneth (LegCo internal reference no.: 411) Reply:

The Legal Aid Services Council (LASC) recommended in its submission to the Government earlier that a publicly funded scheme be put in place to ensure that detainees could have access to legal advice on their rights once their liberty is restricted. LASC proposed that the service concerned be provided at 4 representative police stations on a pilot basis. In July 2017, the Home Affairs Bureau (which oversaw the legal aid portfolio prior to 1 July 2018) and the Security Bureau briefed the Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services (AJLS Panel) of the Legislative Council on LASC’s proposal. LASC’s proposal involved the collaborations of various bureaux and departments, and would give rise to substantial financial and operational implications. Relevant bureaux and departments are studying the feasibility and implications of the proposal carefully. Upon completion of internal deliberation, the Government will report to AJLS Panel again and recommend on the way forward.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO023 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2902)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office launched a special round of applications under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme in 2019 to support research studies on topics relating to the underlying causes of the social incidents started in June 2019, as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to the deep-seated problems of society. While a total of 210 proposals were received in December 2019, approval for the projects and related grants will be given in 2020. The approved research projects are expected to be completed within 2020. In this regard, please inform this Committee of the following: 1. the detailed timetable for the assessment and approval of applications, the disbursement of grants and the completion of research projects as planned for 2020; 2. the planned number of research projects for approval, the estimated funding for each research project, and the total estimated funding for this special round of applications; 3. the types of research topics of the proposals received, and the criteria of assessing and approving the applications; and 4. whether the reports of the completed research projects will be fully open to the public.

Asked by: Hon LIAO Cheung-kong, Martin (LegCo internal reference no.: 47) Reply:

(1) and (2) The assessment for the applications under the special round of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (special round) launched by the Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office (PICO) in November 2019 is at its final stage. Upon completion of the related procedures, PICO will start informing applicants of approved projects and disburse funding. Hence, we cannot provide details of the approved projects at this stage. We will announce the application results after we have completed the assessment and approval procedures. PICO has earmarked $27.3 million in the estimated financial provision for 2020-21 for meeting the estimated amount of grants to be approved under the special round.

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(3) The special round is launched to fund local research institutions and think tanks to conduct research studies on the underlying causes of the social incidents taken place in the second half of last year and the issues related to the deep-seated problems of society. The 210 applications received under the special round cover the 12 possible research topics identified by the Assessment Panel for the special round (see Annex for details).

The assessment of the special round is conducted by the Assessment Panel, which is chaired by and comprises experienced academics. Research quality of the proposal and the relevance to the themes of the special round are the principal assessment criteria adopted by the Assessment Panel. The Assessment Panel also gives due consideration to other relating factors, such as whether the research proposal is solution-oriented, feasible and practical; whether the methodology is reasonable and sound; the capability of the applicant, including his/her academic qualifications, research records, past research performance, and outcomes of past projects; whether the proposed budget is prudent and cost-effective, etc. The assessment criteria have been set out clearly in the Guidance Notes. Each application is reviewed by at least 1 Panel Reader and 1 reviewer who is not a member of the Assessment Panel. The Assessment Panel will take a holistic view on the research proposal, reach a collective decision and make recommendations to PICO. A declaration of interest system is also in place to ensure the assessments are fair and impartial.

(4) In accordance with the usual practice of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, PICO will upload research reports which are rated “satisfactory” under the special round onto its website for public reference.

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Annex

Possible Research Topics Identified by the Assessment Panel for the Special Round of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

(1) Underlying causes of the recent social incidents (including the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants)

(2) The public’s attitude to violence or “mutual destruction”

(3) Governance and political and constitutional development

(4) Public participation in Government’s policy-making process

(5) Cultural values, perception and sense of identity

(6) The orientation of young people and school education

(7) Development opportunities and upward mobility of young people

(8) The impacts and importance of social media on social and political development

(9) Social reconciliation strategies

(10) Mental health of the general public, psychosocial support and rehabilitation

(11) Communication, support and conflicts among family members and friends

(12) Other important political, economic, cultural and societal issues related to the deep- seated problems of society

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO024 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2246)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: 1. The estimate for 2020-21 has increased 21.7% as compared with the revised estimate for 2019-20. What are the reasons for such a significant increase in the estimate? 2. A provision of $400,000 was earmarked by the Government for the procurement of archival records relating to Hong Kong from other places in 2019-20. What are the contents of the records? Please also give a breakdown of the expenditure on the archival records procured. 3. As a trial scheme, the Public Records Office Search Room was open on Saturday mornings from 27 April 2019 onwards for members of the public with an appointment. Upon completion of the trial period, which lasted for about half a year, it was decided that opening on Saturdays would continue. Please set out the number of persons using the Public Records Office Search Room on Saturdays with a breakdown by month and the additional expenditure involved for opening on Saturdays.

Asked by: Hon MA Fung-kwok (LegCo internal reference no.: 1) Reply:

1. The provision for the Government Records Service (GRS) for 2020-21 is $19.9 million (21.7%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in general departmental expenses and expenditure for hire of services for enhancing records management work, including the comprehensive review of records retention and disposal schedules of bureaux / departments (B/Ds) and strengthening training on records management, as well as the net increase of 12 posts in 2020-21 for strengthening the services of the Public Records Office, digitising archival holdings, and assisting B/Ds in implementing electronic recordkeeping system. The increase in expenditure is partly offset by the reduced provision for replacement of minor plant and equipment.

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2. In 2019-20, GRS has earmarked $400,000 to procure archival records relating to Hong Kong from other places. A breakdown of the expenditure on the records procured by GRS is as follows:

Item No of Expenditures records involved ($) 1 The National Archives of the United 590 326,400 Kingdom (TNA) 2. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and 43 10,200 Museum of the United States 3 The George W. Bush Presidential Library and 49 30,300 Museum of the United States Total 682 366,900

Details of the record series are set out in the Annex. These archival records cover a variety of subjects relating to the history of Hong Kong, including the future of Hong Kong, constitutional development and reforms in Hong Kong, politics and leaders, visits of Chinese and British principal officials, the Sino-British Joint Declaration, political relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong, nationality and citizenship, political environment of Hong Kong and international relations, the Hong Kong International Airport project, etc. The first batch of 189 duplicate archival records procured from TNA and 92 duplicate archival records procured from the Presidential Libraries and Museums of the United States are being handled and undergoing records description. They are expected to be ready for public inspection in the second quarter of 2020. The second batch of 150 and the third batch of 251 duplicate archival records procured from TNA were delivered to GRS in mid-March 2020, and are pending quality checking, handling and records description.

3. During the period from 27 April 2019 to 26 October 2019, GRS conducted a pilot to open the Search Room on Saturday mornings for the public to use and access records by appointment. The pilot was eventually made a regular service. The monthly figures of patronage are as follows:

Number of patrons at GRS Search Room on Month Saturday mornings April 2019 7 May 2019 13 June 2019 9 July 2019 6 August 2019 9 September 2019 9 October 2019 21 November 2019 9 December 2019 6 January 2020 12 February 2020Note 0 Total 101

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Note: In line with the Government’s special work arrangement to reduce the risk of the spread of novel coronavirus in the community, the arrangement of opening the Search Room on Saturdays was suspended in February 2020 (except on 8 February). Instead, limited service by appointment was provided in the Search Room on specified days. On 8 February 2020, the Search Room was originally scheduled for opening to the public by appointment but in the end it was not opened as no appointment had been received.

As GRS operates the Search Room on Saturday mornings through internal staff deployment, it does not incur additional expenditure.

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Annex

Copies of archival records procured from the National Archives of the UK (TNA) (590 items in total) Item Record series Years covered (a) BT 31: Board of Trade: Companies Registration Office: Files of 1863-1982 Dissolved Companies (b) CAB 148 – Cabinet Office: Defence and Oversea Policy 1967 Committees and Sub-Committees (c) CO 129 – War and Colonial Department and Colonial Office: Hong 1930-1950 Kong, Original Correspondence (d) CO 537 – Colonial Office and predecessors: Confidential General 1948-1949 and Confidential Original Correspondence (e) CO 1035 – Colonial Office: Intelligence and Security Departments: 1963-1968 Registered Files (ISD Series) (f) DEFE 11 – Ministry of Defence: Chiefs of Staff Committee: 1979-1987 Registered Files (g) DEFE 70 – Ministry of Defence (Army): Registered Files and 1976-1992 Branch Folders (h) DEFE 71 – Ministry of Defence (Air): Registered Files and Branch 1985-1986 Folders (i) FCO 21 – Foreign Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: 1982-1992 Far Eastern Department (j) FCO 37 – Commonwealth Office and Foreign and Commonwealth 1988 Office: South Asia Department: Registered Files (S and FS Series) (k) FCO 40 – Commonwealth Office and Foreign and Commonwealth 1967-1992 Office: Hong Kong Departments (l) FCO 58 – Foreign Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: 1990 United Nations (Political) Department: Registered Files (UP and UL Series) (m) FCO 98 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office: European 1990 Integration Department (External): Registered Files (E(MX) Series) (n) FCO 160 – Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Diplomatic 1972-1980 Reports and Diplomatic Documents (o) FCO 168 – Foreign Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: 1962-1968 Information Research Department; Registered Files (O and RJ Prefix) (p) FO 371 - Foreign Office: Political Departments: General 1949 Correspondence from 1906-1966 (q) OS 62 - Ordnance Survey International Library: International 1898-1995 Boundary Archive (r) PREM19 - Records of the Prime Minister’s Office: 1986-1994 Correspondence and Papers (s) T 220 - Treasury: Imperial and Foreign Division: Registered Files 1948-1958 (IF series) (t) T 450 - HM Treasury: Overseas Finance Sector, External Finance 1991-1992 Group, Balance of Payments Division: EMP (External Monetary

Session 6 CSO - Page 95

Copies of archival records procured from the National Archives of the UK (TNA) (590 items in total) Item Record series Years covered Policy) and ERMP (Exchange Rates and Monetary Policy) prefix records (u) T 492 - HM Treasury: Home, Law and Order and successors: 1990-1991 Registered Files (HLO and PR prefixes) (v) WO 305 - War Office and Ministry of Defence: Army Unit 1960 Historical Records and Reports

Copies of archival records procured from Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum (43 items in total) Item Record series: Subject Years covered (a) David N. Laux Files: Hong Kong 1979-1986 (b) Richard L. Williams Files: Hong Kong Narcotics Report 1979 (c) Wendell W. Gunn Files: Hong Kong Textile Agreement 1983 (d) Executive Secretariat, National Security Council - Country File: 1982-1983 Hong Kong (e) Gaston J. Sigur Files: Visit to Asia 1983

Copies of archival records procured from George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum (49 items in total) Item Record series: Subject Years covered (a) White House Situation Room Files: Tiananmen Square Crisis File 1989 (b) Thomas J. Collamore Files: China Trip Files 1985 (c) Donald P. Gregg Files: Foreign Travel Files 1985 (d) James R. Keith Files: Subject Files 1991-1992

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Session 6 CSO - Page 96

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO025 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2217)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Office of Former Chief Executives provides administrative support to former Chief Executives (CEs). Would the Government inform this Committee of:

1. the establishment of the office and details of the support services provided;

2. the office’s expenditure on provision of services to the 3 former CEs respectively in the past 3 years; and

3. the office’s estimated expenditure (with relevant breakdowns) on provision of services to the 3 former CEs respectively for 2020-21?

4. Please provide in the table below the number of surgical masks (CSI masks), which are manufactured by the Correctional Services Department, provided to the office by the Government Logistics Department (“GLD”) each month in the past 3 years, as well as their value and stock:

Month/year No. of CSI masks Value of CSI masks Stock of CSI masks provided

5. Please provide in the table below the number of surgical masks provided by GLD or self-purchased in the past 3 years, as well as their value, stock and quantity used:

Month/year No. (value) of No. (value) of Stock Quantity surgical masks self-purchased used provided by GLD surgical masks

Asked by: Hon MO Claudia (LegCo internal reference no.: 46)

Session 6 CSO - Page 97

Reply: 1. The Office of Former Chief Executives (the Office) supports former Chief Executives (CEs) in discharging promotional and protocol-related functions such as receiving visiting dignitaries and delegations, giving local and overseas media interviews, attending public and social events, and taking part in speaking engagements. The Office provides administrative support for scheduling and making arrangements for public and social appointments, handling correspondence and enquiries, and dealing with general administrative duties. The support service for the Office is currently provided by 3 Senior Personal Assistants, 3 Assistant Clerical Officers, 3 Chauffeurs and 1 Clerical Assistant.

2&3. The expenditure/estimates for providing support to former CEs in the past 3 years and 2020-21 are provided below:

Expenditure item 2017-18* 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 Actual Actual Revised Estimates expenditure expenditure estimates ($ million) ($ million) ($ million) ($ million) Staff cost# 5.222 6.451 6.387 6.72 Hire of services and 1.247 1.158 1.387 1.417 professional fees Other general 2.637 2.727 3.608 3.277 departmental expenses Total 9.106 10.336 11.382 11.414 expenditure/estimates

* The number of former CEs has increased from 2 to 3 since July 2017. # Each former CE is supported by 1 Senior Personal Assistant (contract staff), 1 Chauffeur, 1 Assistant Clerical Officer and 1 shared-use Clerical Assistant. The figures above include the expenses for the salaries, allowances, Mandatory Provident Fund and Civil Service Provident contributions as well as end-of-contract gratuities (disbursed every 1 or 2 years) for the staff concerned.

4&5 Given the latest epidemic situation, the global mask supply remains tight. The Government will continue to increase the overall mask supply in Hong Kong through a multi-pronged approach, which includes making greater efforts in global procurement, increasing the monthly production of the Correctional Services Department, subsidising local production lines and developing reusable masks, etc. At the same time, the Government has vigorously reduced the non-emergency and non-essential demands for masks from bureaux and departments, such that most of the masks are used in anti- epidemic work as well as the essential and emergency services of other departments. Arising from the rapid developments of the epidemic situation, the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) (including masks) from government departments will change according to the requirements for anti-epidemic work. The Government Logistics Department (GLD) and other government departments are making the best procurement efforts through various channels and means, and will continue to review the stock of and demand for PPE

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With an upsurge in the global demand for PPE, the Government is facing keen competition in its procurement. The Government considers it inappropriate at this stage to disclose further information about the stock levels, places of origin, suppliers, quantities procured and amounts paid, delivery schedules and consumption in respect of PPE in individual departments in the past few years and recent months so as not to undermine the bargaining power of the GLD and departments concerned in procuring PPE.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 99

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO026 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2228)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: To facilitate the efficient management of government records, the Government Records Service (GRS) formulates and implements policies and plans for records management and archives administration, and provides storage and disposal services for inactive records.

1. Has GRS developed a series of criteria for the disposal of records? If so, what are the details? If not, what are the reasons?

2. Please advise of the quantity (linear metre) of records destroyed by GRS and the expenditure incurred over the past 5 years. Is there any estimated expenditure for the abovementioned item in the 2020-21 Financial Year? If yes, what are the details?

3. The estimated provision of GRS for 2020-21 will be increased by 21.7%. What are the purpose and details of the increased provision?

4. There are quite a number of views in the community that the Government should enact an archives law immediately; and the Law Reform Commission is currently conducting a consultation on the enactment of archives law. Would the Government advise whether it will improve records management during this window period through the following measures:

(a) to review afresh the existing administrative guidelines and directives issued to government departments by GRS; (b) to require senior management of the Government to instruct heads of departments to attach importance to records management and take on the relevant work in accordance with the guidelines set by GRS; (c) to strictly enforce disciplinary or administrative actions in case of non-compliance; and (d) to examine on a regular basis the records management work of government departments, and publish their work progress on records management and the types of records involved. If so, what are the expenditure and details? If not, what are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon MO Claudia (LegCo internal reference no.: 57)

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Reply:

1. Records appraisal is an important process for ascertaining the archival value of government records under the existing regime of records management. Making reference to the experience and standards of overseas jurisdictions, Archivist grade officers in the Government Records Service (GRS) have developed a set of assessment guidelines under which records meeting any of the following conditions may be selected for permanent retention:

(i) documenting or reflecting the organisation, functions and activities of government agencies; (ii) documenting the formulation process, implementation and outcome of significant policies, decisions, legislation and actions of the Government; (iii) documenting the impact of the decisions, policies and programmes of the Government upon the physical environment, community, organisations and individuals; (iv) documenting the interaction between the public and the Government as well as between the physical environment and the Government; (v) documenting the legal rights and obligations of individuals, groups, organisations and the Government; or (vi) containing significant or unique information or aged documents that can enrich the understanding about the history, physical environment, society, culture, economy and people of Hong Kong.

2. The quantities of records of bureaux/departments (B/Ds) approved for destruction in the past 5 years are tabulated as follows :

Year Quantity of records (linear metre) 2015 61 418 2016 56 633 2017 67 955 2018 62 810 2019 63 750

Under the current records management system, B/Ds need to obtain the prior agreement of the GRS Director before destructing their time-expired records in accordance with a set of mandatory procedures through their own resources. GRS does not have information on the expenditure incurred by B/Ds for the destruction of records over the past 5 years, nor the provisions reserved for this purpose in 2020-21.

3. The provision of GRS for 2020-21 is $19.9 million (21.7%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in general departmental expenses and expenditure for hire of services for enhancing records management work, including the comprehensive review of records retention and disposal schedules of B/Ds and strengthening training on records management, as well as the net increase of 12 posts in 2020-21 for strengthening the services of the Public Records Office,

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digitising archival holdings, and assisting B/Ds in their implementing electronic recordkeeping system. The increase in expenditure is partly offset by the reduced provision for replacement of minor plant and equipment.

4. Regarding the enactment of archives law, the Law Reform Commission (LRC) has completed the public consultation on archives law, and is analysing the responses received during the consultation period. The Government will actively take follow-up action after receiving the report from LRC. At the present stage, the Government will continue to enhance its records management work, including providing comprehensive records management training to government officers at different levels, and the newly-recruited government officers in particular, and increasing the number of training targets on records management from 4 000 man/time to 10 000 man/time per annum. In addition, GRS is taking forward a number of enhancement measures, such as reviewing B/Ds’ records retention and disposal schedules by phases to improve disposal procedures and facilitate timely transfer of records with archival value to GRS for proper retention, supporting full implementation of the electronic record-keeping system in B/Ds by the end of 2025, and extending the service hours of GRS’ Search Room to Saturday mornings from April 2019 onwards for members of the public with prior appointment.

GRS will also continue to review regularly the existing guidelines and codes of practice issued to B/Ds. In 2019, GRS completed the review of Publication No. 1: A Practical Guide to Records Scheduling and Disposal and Guidelines for Transferring Records to Public Records Office for Permanent Retention. Under the current mechanism, government officers should strictly follow the records management requirements promulgated by the Government. Government officers who fail to comply with the mandatory requirements on records management and/or are found negligent while performing records management duties will be subject to disciplinary actions. Depending on the circumstances and severity of the non-compliance, punishments ranging from verbal or written warnings, reprimand, severe reprimand, reduction in rank, compulsory retirement to dismissal may be given. Meanwhile, GRS will continue to implement a two-pronged approach to review B/Ds’ records management practices through self-assessment conducted by B/Ds alongside with departmental records management reviews conducted by GRS. Upon completion of these self-assessments and reviews, the Director of Administration will convey the findings and recommendations for improvement to the heads of B/Ds concerned for their rectification as soon as possible. GRS will also closely monitor the progress of the B/Ds in implementing the recommendations to ensure that their records management practices comply with the requirements of the Government. To enhance the transparency of government records management, GRS introduces its major functions, yearly work, key statistics and newly-opened records through its annual reports. Moreover, information on the destruction of records by B/Ds per annum (including the quantities and subjects of records) as well as manuals, guidelines and circulars on government records management are uploaded onto GRS’ website for public access. As the above tasks are part of the ongoing work of GRS, we are unable to calculate the itemised expenditure for them in 2020-21.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO027 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0758)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) has mentioned that it would conduct “preliminary research on issues such as sharing economy”, meet with “non-government stakeholders to understand the modes of operation and expectation of the industry”, and also “place more emphasis on evidence-based research and stakeholders’ participation”. Regarding PICO’s work in reviewing existing legislation and regulations with a view to removing or updating provisions that impede innovation and economic development, please advise this Committee of the following:

1. the progress of the review on legislation that impedes economic development and social innovation in 2019-20; the criteria adopted to determine the regulations for review; and the area of study concerning innovation and technology in 2020-21;

2. the outdated provisions or policy areas which PICO has started an official review since its operation, the bureaux and departments involved and whether public consultation exercises were conducted (please set out in table form);

3. given the mentioning of sharing economy in the Policy Address, whether PICO has offered any advice to the bureaux proposing legislative amendments; if yes, the details; and whether topical studies on the regulatory mechanisms for the provision of personalised and point-to-point transport services through online private-car-hailing platforms as well as short-term rental accommodation and home-stay lodgings will be conducted in 2020-21, and whether communications with stakeholders of the technology sector will be made in this respect; if yes, the progress and the schedule;

4. the specific work plan for promoting communication among policy bureaux and local research institutes in 2020-21;

5. the number of meetings held by the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development in 2020-21, the attendance rate, agenda of meetings and the specific work of the Council of Advisors; and

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6. whether any key performance indicator (KPI) will be set for PICO’s review of outdated legislation and policies for promoting innovation and technology in 2020-21 so as to monitor the efficacy of the work; if yes, the details.

Asked by: Hon MOK Charles Peter (LegCo internal reference no.: 137) Reply:

Reviewing legislation and regulations that impede innovation and technology (I&T) development

Reviewing legislation and regulations that impede I&T and economic development is one of the Government’s 8 major directions for I&T development. Apart from conducting research on individual projects, the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) also assists the Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology in co-ordinating the review work of relevant policy bureaux and departments (B/Ds). Generally speaking, the work of PICO is to provide the relevant bureaux with initial policy research support, such as studying and making reference to the regulatory regimes and arrangements adopted by other cities in addressing the issues concerned, and examining the relevance of such regimes and arrangements to local circumstances. PICO also meets with the relevant B/Ds and stakeholders to gauge their views so as to provide the former with evidence-based research information to assist them in formulating feasible solutions and/or proposed amendments to the legislation and regulations. PICO has collected the views and recommendations put forward by various stakeholders, including industries, business chambers, service users and legislative councilors etc., and also consulted the relevant B/Ds to identify the scope and priorities for the review.

Since commencing the related work in early 2019, PICO has completed the study on the arrangements of advance directives and the relevant end-of-life care, including making reference to the arrangements adopted by other cities in addressing such issues and meeting with stakeholders, with a view to assisting the Food and Health Bureau (FHB) in formulating proposals for public consultation. The relevant public consultation was completed in late 2019. FHB is now analysing the views collected. Besides, PICO has completed the initial research on the Road Traffic Ordinance and the relevant subsidiary legislation to see whether they are capable of supporting the application and development of autonomous vehicles and telematics. In respect of the application of visual display units, we have noted that the current Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A) already allow a driver to view driving-related information from the driver’s seat, including the required navigation and driving information. As for autonomous vehicle technology, PICO considers that a clear legal framework will be conducive to the adoption of the technology in Hong Kong and has passed its research findings to the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department (TD) for reference. We have noted that TD has commenced studying the necessary legislative amendments. To bring convenience to drivers/customers and drive the development of smart city, PICO has recently completed a study on the provision of mobile payment services in petrol filling stations and will provide its research findings and suggestions to the Fire Services Department for reference in handling related matters in the future.

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In 2020-21, PICO will continue to gauge the views and suggestions of different stakeholders on the review and conduct relevant studies. The effectiveness of such work will be reflected in the provision of evidence-based research to the relevant B/Ds in order to better grasp the views of stakeholders and industries and identify innovative and feasible solutions. Therefore, it is difficult to set quantifiable key performance indicators for such task.

Sharing economy

PICO has studied the regulatory regimes for certain sharing economy activities in other cities and the impact of the regimes on these cities. The research information has been passed on to the relevant B/Ds for reference in policy formulation.

Enhancing exchange with local think tanks and research institutions

In 2020-21, PICO will continue to foster closer network and seek collaboration opportunities with local public policy research institutions and think tanks through visits, exchanges, workshops and seminars, etc. Since April 2019, PICO has organised 6 policy workshops on various themes, including I&T development, education, public space and elderly service, for research institutions/think tanks to present their research projects and policy recommendations to the relevant B/Ds direct and to learn about the research interests and needs of the policy bureaux, thereby facilitating mutual exchanges. We will continue to organise policy workshops on various themes in the coming year.

The Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development (the Council)

The Council was established to advise the Chief Executive on Hong Kong’s strategic positioning in the global and regional contexts and directions of economic development with an aim of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness and growth potential. In 2019, the Council conducted a total of 3 meetings to discuss, among others, the economic outlook of Hong Kong, the findings and recommendations of the study on “Creating the Greater Bay Area of the Future - Opportunities for Hong Kong” and the heightened tension in the economic and trade relations between China and the United States and its impact on Hong Kong. The average attendance rate of the 3 meetings is 76%.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 105

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO028 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0395)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In recent years, the Government has strived to remove unnecessary constraints for innovation and technology (I&T) development. It was mentioned in paragraph 86 of the Budget Speech last year that the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office had started reviewing existing laws which were outdated and impeded I&T development. However, this area of work is not mentioned in the Budget this year. Are there any findings of the review? If yes, what are the details? Will the Bureau continue to allocate more resources for staff establishment and estimated expenditure? If yes, what are the forecast on staff establishment and expenditure involved for the coming 3 years?

Asked by: Hon NG Wing-ka, Jimmy (LegCo internal reference no.: 69) Reply:

Reviewing legislation and regulations that impede innovation and technology (I&T) and economic development is one of the Government’s 8 major directions for I&T development. Apart from conducting research on individual projects, the Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office (PICO) also assists the Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology in co-ordinating the review work of relevant policy bureaux and departments (B/Ds). Generally speaking, the work of PICO is to provide the relevant bureaux with initial policy research support, such as studying and making reference to the regulatory regimes and arrangements adopted by other cities in addressing the issues concerned, and examining the relevance of such regimes and arrangements to local circumstances. PICO also meets with the relevant B/Ds and stakeholders to gauge their views so as to provide the former with evidence-based research information to assist them in formulating feasible solutions and/or proposed amendments to the legislation and regulations.

Session 6 CSO - Page 106 proposals for public consultation. The relevant public consultation was completed in late 2019. Besides, PICO has completed the initial research on the Road Traffic Ordinance and the relevant subsidiary legislation to see whether they are capable of supporting the application and development of autonomous vehicles and telematics. In respect of the application of visual display units, we have noted that the current Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374A) already allow a driver to view driving-related information from the driver’s seat, including the required navigation and driving information. As for autonomous vehicle technology, PICO considers that a clear legal framework will be conducive to the adoption of the technology in Hong Kong, and has passed its research findings to the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department (TD) for reference. We have noted that TD has commenced studying the necessary legislative amendments. To bring convenience to drivers/customers and drive the development of a smart city, PICO has recently completed a study on the provision of mobile payment services at petrol filling stations and will provide its research findings and suggestions to the Fire Services Department for reference in handling related matters in the future.

PICO and the relevant B/Ds are taking forward the above review of legislation and regulations using existing resources.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 107

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO029 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2969)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please set out in tabular form the number, titles and brief descriptions of the projects received last year for the provision of “first-stop and one-stop” project consultation and co-ordination services for innovative projects, among which the number of projects completed, as well as details on the outcomes, the manpower and expenditure involved.

Asked by: Hon QUAT Elizabeth (LegCo internal reference no.: 49) Reply:

In 2019-20, the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) received a total of 10 requests for the provision of“first-stop and one-stop” project consultation and co-ordination services, including 3 completed projects, namely the Extension of the Queensway Subway from Three Pacific Place to a new development at Anton Street/Landale Street, Shing Wong Street Community Living Room and “Green Cadogan” Community Edu-tainment Space. The details of the 10 projects are provided in the following table:

Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 1 Extension of the Liaising with relevant departments and the PICO has Queensway MTR Corporation Limited to co-ordinate completed the Subway from and rationalise the design of barrier-free study and referred Three Pacific access facilities in the development project. the project to the Place to a new Development development at Bureau for Anton follow-up action. Street/Landale Street*

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Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 2 Shing Wong Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant After liaising with Street departments and the Urban Renewal relevant Community Authority (URA) to assist the proponent in departments, Living Room* applying for a currently idle site in Shing PICO learnt that Wong Street, Central and Western District the subject site on short term tenancy for community use. had been identified for other use. The URA has agreed to offer another site nearby to the proponent for short-term use. The URA will continue to follow up with the proponent. PICO has completed its co-ordination work.

3 “Green Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant After liaising with Cadogan” departments to assist the proponent in relevant Community applying for an idle stall at Cadogan Street, departments, Edu-tainment Central and Western District on short term PICO learnt that Space* tenancy for serving as a refuse recycling construction station. The stall is located near Cadogan works would be Street Temporary Garden in the former carried out at the Kennedy Town Vegetable Wholesale subject site by Market and is currently idle. government departments. Therefore, the application could not be processed and the proponent was informed of the reason. PICO has completed its co-ordination work.

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Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 4 Redevelopment Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is of Sheng Kung departments to assist the proponent in being handled by Hui Kei Oi redeveloping their existing facilities in PICO. Primary School Cheung Sha Wan to provide more social and Kei Oi welfare facilities. Church

5 OneSky Global Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Centre for Early departments to assist the proponent in being handled by Childhood setting up a child care centre in Sham Shui PICO. Development Po, providing the community with an early childhood learning centre, parenting skills workshops, and services on community participation projects.

6 Tin Shui Wai Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Neighbour- departments to assist the proponent in being handled by Wood applying for an abandoned fish pond PICO. farmland in Tin Shui Wai on short term tenancy for community farming and promotion of fishermen culture.

7 Tin Shui Wai Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is House of Stories departments to assist the proponent in being handled by applying for a piece of land in Tin Shui Wai PICO. Park on short term tenancy as a community art space.

8 Chuen Lung Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Photography departments to assist the proponent in being handled by Centre setting up a community photography centre PICO. at the former Koon Man School in Chuen Lung Village on short term tenancy to promote community participation in photography arts activities.

9 Tai Po Life Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Education Centre departments to assist the proponent in being handled by setting up Tai Po Life Education Centre in PICO. the former Shing Ming School on short term tenancy to promote the concepts of life education and organic farming, etc.

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Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 10 Hong Kong Lego Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Discovery departments to assist the proponent in being handled by Centre building an indoor theme amusement park PICO. in Tsim Sha Tsui to bring a new tourist attraction to Hong Kong. * The co-ordination work provided by PICO for the relevant projects has been completed. If necessary, PICO may continue to provide consultation services for project proponents.

Apart from the 10 new projects above, PICO continued to handle 1 project received in 2018- 19, namely the STEAM School by the Shaw Foundation, in 2019-20. PICO was responsible for liaising and co-ordinating with relevant departments to assist the Shaw Foundation in setting up in Clearwater Bay the first school in Hong Kong with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) as its main direction of curriculum planning, with the aim of nurturing students interested in innovation and technology.

In addition, PICO received in January 2020 a request from the Hong Kong Institute of Family Education (HKIFE) to provide project co-ordination services for its mask production plan, aiming to produce masks locally on a non-profit-making basis for the public and frontline workers of various sectors. PICO has provided liaison and co-ordination services for the project (including referring enquiries about mask production and testing to the Hong Kong Productivity Council) to facilitate the plan which will bring benefits to the general public.

The Project Co-ordination Team under PICO is composed of 4 officers in various professions and with different experience, namely 1 Senior Project Manager, 2 Project Managers and 1 Senior Town Planner. Since the nature, scale and complexity of each project vary and each officer has to take charge of several projects at the same time, the time, manpower and expenditure required for individual projects cannot be quantified.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 111

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO030 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1741)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the salaries, allowances, job-related allowances and related expenses to be incurred by the Office of the Chief Secretary for Administration in 2020-21, please tabulate the following information: (1) the estimated expenditures on the (i) salaries, (ii) benefits and allowances, (iii) job- related allowances, (iv) Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) contribution and (v) other allowances and contribution (please specify) of (a) the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and (b) the Political Assistant (PA) to CS. If the above estimated expenditures of these politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Salaries Benefits Job-related MPF Other and allowances contribution allowances allowances and contribution (please specify) (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

Session 6 CSO - Page 112

(2) the estimated expenditures on the benefits and allowances for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS in this financial year, including the following 4 categories of expenditures: (i) their medical and dental benefits, (ii) the medical and dental benefits of their spouses, (iii) their leave passage allowances and (iv) the leave passage allowances of their spouses. If the above estimated expenditures of these politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Medical and Medical and Leave passage Leave passage dental benefits dental benefits allowances allowances of of spouses spouses (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

(3) the estimated expenditures on the (i) government vehicle services and (ii) security arrangements for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS in this financial year. If the above estimated expenditures of these politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; (i) (ii) Cars and chauffeur Security arrangements services (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

(4) the estimated expenditures on the job-related allowances for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS in this financial year, including the following 2 categories of expenditures: (i) official entertainment and (ii) passage for duty visits. If the above estimated expenditures of these politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above; and (i) (ii) Official entertainment Passage for duty visits (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

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(5) the estimated expenditures on the end-of-contract gratuities for (a) CS and (b) PA to CS upon the completion of their terms of office, including the following 2 categories of expenditures: (i) end-of-contract gratuity and (ii) related allowances. If the above estimated expenditures of these politically appointed officials are not included in their personal emoluments but are part of the estimated operating expenditure of the Office, please provide (d) the estimated expenditure of the Office on the items above. (i) (ii) End-of-contract Related allowances gratuity (a) CS (b) PA to CS (c) Total estimated expenditure of the Office

Asked by: Hon TAM Man-ho, Jeremy (LegCo internal reference no.: 1) Reply:

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Session 6 CSO - Page 114

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO031 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0449)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Financial Secretary transferred the Tax Policy Unit from the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau to the Financial Secretary’s Office last year. While approval was given by the Establishment Subcommittee of the Legislative Council last June to create a directorate post in the Financial Secretary’s Office, the Finance Committee has yet to approve the creation of the post. Nevertheless, according to government information, there are already a Co-ordinator (Budget and Tax) and 2 Senior Tax Researchers under the current establishment of the Tax Policy Unit. Please advise:

1. the current expenditure and establishment of the Tax Policy Unit; the terms of appointment of the respective officers; and whether there is a fixed contractual period for those officers appointed on non-civil service contract terms;

2. the specific tasks undertaken by the Tax Policy Unit over the past year, including the number of proposals made to and accepted by the Financial Secretary;

3. the division of responsibilities between the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and the Tax Policy Unit, given that the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau also assists in formulating policies concerning the provision of tax concessions for various industries.

Asked by: Hon TO Kun-sun, James (LegCo internal reference no.: 9) Reply:

(1) The Tax Policy Unit (TPU) is currently staffed by 2 Senior Tax Researchers employed on a fixed term contract basis and 1 civil service Assistant Clerical Officer. The 2 Senior Tax Researchers are comparable to the civil service rank of Senior Assessor. In addition, a 6-month supernumerary directorate post and a Senior Personal Secretary post were created in the TPU in October 2019 to enhance the co-ordination of the 2020- 21 Budget and to conduct the preparatory work for the expansion of the TPU into the

Session 6 CSO - Page 115

Budget and Tax Policy Unit. The total expenditure for the salaries of the above posts in 2019-20 was about $5.5 million.

(2) In the past year, the major tasks of the TPU were to promote the development of Hong Kong’s industries and economy through tax policy, including assisting different policy bureaux in studying tax measures related to their respective policy areas. For example, the TPU assisted the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) in studying, analysing and formulating tax incentives for ship leasing as well as marine and specialty risks insurance respectively. The relevant legislative amendment exercises have commenced. The TPU also closely monitored international developments on tax requirements, including the proposal of setting rules for imposing a global minimum tax rate that is being actively explored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and maintained close communication with the FSTB and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on these matters and assisted them in conducting studies and analysis. Furthermore, the TPU analysed and advised on different tax issues as necessary, including tax proposals received during the public consultation on the Budget. The above was the day-to-day work of the TPU. We do not have any statistics on the number of pieces of advice that the TPU has provided to the Financial Secretary (FS) or how many of them were accepted.

(3) The FSTB is the policy bureau that co-ordinates overall tax matters. It is responsible for policy work on local taxation and international tax co-operation and the policy bureau of the IRD. The TPU, directly under the FS Office currently, is mainly responsible for conducting studies on new tax policies and measures for individual industries to support economic development; monitoring closely international tax developments to ensure that the tax policies and measures concerned are able to meet the latest international tax standards; and providing support to the FS regarding tax matters. The FSTB and the TPU maintain close liaison on the formulation of tax policies.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 116

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO032 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2002)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the Duty Lawyer Service, would the Government inform this Committee of the following: a) in each of the past 3 years, the number of cases handled by duty lawyers; b) the numbers of duty lawyers and hours of service provided for their clients; c) the numbers of cases in which clients with duty lawyer representation pleaded guilty, lost, reached a settlement and won; and d) the pay level of duty lawyers?

Asked by: Hon TO Kun-sun, James (LegCo internal reference no.: 810) Reply: a) The number of cases handled under the Duty Lawyer Scheme in each of the past 3 years was as follows:

Number of cases handled under the Duty Lawyer Scheme 2017 22 145 2018 20 851 2019 17 061 b) The numbers of duty lawyers and days of service provided for their clients in the past 3 years were as follows:

Number of duty Number of days in Number of days in lawyers who took which duty which duty up cases lawyers took up lawyers took up full-day work half-day work 2017 1 167 3 673 7 535 2018 1 206 2 863 7 630 2019 1 243 2 801 6 673

Session 6 CSO - Page 117 c) The numbers of cases in which clients with duty lawyer representation pleaded guilty, lost, were bound over to be of good behaviour with the prosecution offering no evidence against them, and won in the past 3 years were as follows:

Pleaded Lost Being bound over with Won guilty the prosecution offering no evidence against them 2017 12 020 468 2 044 371 2018 10 945 422 2 149 326 2019 9 037 377 1 829 336 d) The current fees for duty lawyers are as follows:

Fee for duty lawyers Fee for duty lawyers Pre-trial preparation (whole-day) (half-day) (per hour) $11,400 $5,670 $1,370

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Session 6 CSO - Page 118

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO033 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2471)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: It is stated under Programme (1) that a financial provision of $170.9 million will be made for the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office in the new financial year, which represents an increase of 38.3% over that in the previous financial year. Please advise this Committee of the following:

(1) What are the details of and reasons for the increase in the financial provision?

(2) Last year, a large sum of money was used to engage a retired senior official as head of the Dialogue Office. Is the Office still in operation? If yes, what are the manpower establishment and expenditure currently involved?

(3) What will be the financial provision and manpower establishment of the Office under Programme (1) in the new financial year? What are the changes as compared with the last financial year?

(4) What tasks have been undertaken by the Office since its establishment? Has any evaluation been made on whether such work has met the objectives of setting up the Office and whether it is cost-effective? If yes, and if the result is in the negative, will the Office cease operation immediately? If not, will an evaluation be made immediately?

Asked by: Hon TSE Wai-chun, Paul (LegCo internal reference no.: 34) Reply:

(1) The estimated financial provision for the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) for 2020-21 is $47.3 million (38.3%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in grant of funding under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and increased requirement for commissioned studies. Within the provision, $27.3 million is

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earmarked for a special round of applications under the PPRFS launched in November 2019.

(2) to (4) In mid-September 2019, the Government set up a time-limited Dialogue Office to assist the Chief Executive and her political team in building a dialogue platform. The office is staffed by 1 Director and 1 Deputy Director employed on non-civil service terms, and 5 staff on loan from the civil service. The tenure of the Director is 6 months, running from mid-September 2019 to mid-March 2020. The tenures of other staff members of the office are similar. The expenditure of the office in 2019-20 was about $5.45 million.

The Dialogue Office is mainly responsible for co-ordinating and supporting the Chief Executive and her political team in engaging in dialogues with people from different backgrounds, sectors and age groups in the community. Since its establishment, the Dialogue Office has arranged and participated in a total of 37 dialogue sessions, meetings and exchanges, including the Community Dialogue session attended by the Chief Executive and 4 Bureau Directors; in-depth dialogues conducted by the Chief Executive and Principal Officials with members of the public and people from different sectors in closed-door setting; Facebook live chats conducted by the Chief Executive and 3 Bureau Directors respectively; and other relevant exchanges. Due to the novel Coronavirus epidemic, 16 in- depth dialogues and Facebook live chats originally scheduled for February and March 2020 have to be postponed. The relevant work will be supported by other government offices when the epidemic has stabilised.

Apart from the dialogue platform, the Dialogue Office has taken up other duties having regard to the exigencies of the Government, including the provision of secretariat support to the Inter-departmental Action Task Force chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration since November 2019, supporting him in monitoring and co-ordinating the response actions, follow-up work, information dissemination etc. by the relevant bureaux and departments in response to the social incidents. So far, the Inter-departmental Action Task Force has held more than 30 meetings. In addition, the Dialogue Office has participated in 15 inter- departmental meetings related to other issues including tasks pertaining to the fight against the novel Coronavirus epidemic. The total number of the abovementioned dialogue sessions, meetings, exchanges and inter-departmental meetings is over 80, demonstrating that the Dialogue Office has duly performed its functions.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 120

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO034 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1227)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the Human Resources Planning Commission, would the Government inform this Committee of the following for each of the past 3 years: 1. the number of meetings held each year; 2. the concrete proposals raised in relation to the formulation of comprehensive human resources strategies; and 3. the staffing establishment and expenditures involved.

Asked by: Hon WONG Kwok-kin (LegCo internal reference no.: 24) Reply:

Since its establishment in April 2018, the Human Resources Planning Commission (HRPC), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, has convened 8 meetings (4 in 2018 and 4 in 2019) to discuss various issues pertaining to human resources. The issues discussed include Hong Kong’s labour market and ongoing manpower policies; strategies for nurturing talent and attracting outside talent; overall manpower situation, opportunities and challenges for individual industries; impact of automation on Hong Kong’s human resources; key findings of Manpower Projection to 2027; and promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training.

Furthermore, HRPC has provided input for the formulation of the Technology Talent Admission Scheme launched in June 2018 and the drawing up of the Talent List for implementation through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. In addition, to facilitate the local workforce in their decision-making in respect of their career, training and development pathways, HRPC decided to set up Hong Kong’s first-ever one-stop integrated portal on human resources planning and industry manpower development information. The portal, namely talent.gov.hk, was launched on 1 December 2019.

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The Human Resources Planning and Poverty Co-ordination Unit (HRPPCU) under the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Private Office provides centralised secretariat and support services for HRPC, the Commission on Poverty, Steering Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs and Anti-epidemic Fund Steering Committee. The establishment of HRPPCU comprises 12 civil service posts and 2 non-civil servant contract staff.

The estimated total expenditure of HRPPCU in 2020-21 is about $29 million.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 122

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO035 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2550)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the research projects funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, please provide the title and funding amount of individual projects.

Asked by: Hon WONG Pik-wan, Helena (LegCo internal reference no.: 30) Reply:

In the 2019-20 financial year, the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme provided a total funding of $20.12 million to 31 research projects and $12.81 million to 3 research projects respectively. The details of the projects are at Annex.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 124

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

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Session 6 CSO - Page 127

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO036 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2551)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: 1. Please list the estimated expenditures on the salaries of the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Political Assistant to CS for 2020-21.

2. What is the staff establishment of the CS’s Office in 2020-21? What are the expenditure on staff remuneration and the respective percentage in the estimate for this programme in 2020-21?

Asked by: Hon WONG Pik-wan, Helena (LegCo internal reference no.: 31) Reply:

In the 2020-21 Budget, the provisions earmarked for remuneration for the posts of the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Political Assistant (PA) to CS are about $4.63 million and $1.04 million respectively. As approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration for politically-appointed officials (PAOs) will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C). The relevant expenses for 2020-21 will be reflected in the revised estimate for the same year. The adjustment to cash remuneration expenses of PAOs will be met by internal redeployment of resources in relevant bureaux/offices and no additional provision is required.

In 2020-21, the staff establishment of the CS’ Private Office includes the Administrative Assistant to CS, 1 Senior Administrative Officer, 1 Administrative Officer and 12 civil service posts providing administrative support, as well as the PA to CS and 1 non-civil service staff providing administrative support. In the 2020-21 Budget, the provisions earmarked for remuneration for CS and the staff mentioned above is about $16.9 million, accounting for about 2.8% of the total provisions earmarked for Programme (3).

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO037 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0478)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Government announced in September last year that a Dialogue Office (the Office) would be set up under the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office, with a director in charge of its operation. 1. What were the staff establishment, staff cost and other operating expenses of the Office in 2019-20? What is the estimated expenditure for its staff establishment, staff cost and other operating expenses in 2020-21? 2. What are the lengths of the terms of office for the director and other related posts in the Office and when are their terms expected to expire? 3. Please give details of the specific work done by the Office (e.g. the respective numbers of open and closed meetings held) since September last year. Apart from holding meetings, what are its other responsibilities?

Asked by: Hon WU Chi-wai (LegCo internal reference no.: 5) Reply:

In mid-September 2019, the Government set up a time-limited Dialogue Office to assist the Chief Executive and her political team in building a dialogue platform. The Office is staffed by 1 Director and 1 Deputy Director employed on non-civil service terms, and 5 staff on loan from the civil service. The tenure of the Director is 6 months, running from mid-September 2019 to mid-March 2020. The tenures of other staff members of the office are similar. The expenditure of the office in 2019-20 was about $5.45 million.

Session 6 CSO - Page 129

Directors; in-depth dialogues conducted by the Chief Executive and Principal Officials with members of the public and people from different sectors in closed-door setting; Facebook live chats conducted by the Chief Executive and 3 Bureau Directors respectively; and other relevant exchanges. Due to the novel Coronavirus epidemic, 16 in-depth dialogues and Facebook live chats originally scheduled for February and March 2020 have to be postponed. The relevant work will be supported by other government offices when the epidemic has stabilised.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 130

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO038 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0479)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding “a special round of applications under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) was launched to support research studies on topics relating to the underlying causes of the recent social incidents, as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to the deep-seated problems of society”:

1. How many applications, out of the 210 received, were approved? What are the details of the approved applications? Please provide detailed information by background of applicant, research topic, research mode, amount of funding granted, etc.;

2. What is the total amount of funding granted for the special round of applications?

3. What is the earliest completion date of the research projects as estimated by the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO)? How will the research findings be announced?

4. As the members of the public participating in “the recent social incidents” made “five demands” clearly, why did PICO consider further research on “the recent social incidents” is needed? How are the research findings expected to address the demands of the public and solve the problems caused by “the recent social incidents”?

Asked by: Hon WU Chi-wai (LegCo internal reference no.: 6) Reply:

(1) & (2) The assessment for the applications under the special round of the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme (special round) launched by the Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office (PICO) in November 2019 is at its final stage. Upon completion of the related procedures, PICO will start informing applicants of approved projects and disburse funding. Hence, we cannot provide details of the approved projects at this stage. We will

Session 6 CSO - Page 131 announce the application results after we have completed the assessment and approval procedures.

(3) The project duration of applications received under the special round is 6 months in general. Therefore, we expect the funded research projects to commence progressively in April 2020 and the first batch to be completed in late September/early October 2020. In accordance with the usual practice of the PPR Funding Scheme, PICO will upload research reports which are rated “satisfactory” under the special round onto its website for public reference.

(4) The Assessment Panel of the PPR Funding Scheme is chaired by and comprises experienced academics. In November 2019, the Assessment Panel decided to launch the special round of application. The aim is to fund local research institutions and think tanks to conduct research studies on the underlying causes of the social incidents that took place in the second half of last year as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to the deep-seated problems of society. The possible research topics identified by the Assessment Panel for the special round of the PPR Funding Scheme are set out at Annex.

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Annex

Possible Research Topics Identified by the Assessment Panel for the Special Round of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme

(1) Underlying causes of the recent social incidents (including the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants)

(2) The public’s attitude to violence or “mutual destruction”

(3) Governance and political and constitutional development

(4) Public participation in Government’s policy-making process

(5) Cultural values, perception and sense of identity

(6) The orientation of young people and school education

(7) Development opportunities and upward mobility of young people

(8) The impacts and importance of social media on social and political development

(9) Social reconciliation strategies

(10) Mental health of the general public, psychosocial support and rehabilitation

(11) Communication, support and conflicts among family members and friends

(12) Other important political, economic, cultural and societal issues related to the deep- seated problems of society

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Session 6 CSO - Page 133

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO039 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1497)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO):

1. What are the actual and estimated manpower establishment, and the estimated annual salary expenditure, broken down by rank, post, terms of appointment and pay band, in 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively? Are the 2 additional posts in 2020-21 created to fill existing vacancies or vacancies arising from creation of new posts? Are they civil service posts or non-civil service contract posts?

2. Regarding the 34 projects funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme in 2019, what are the specific contents of each project, including the project title, nature and content of the project, amount of subsidy involved and progress?

3. Regarding the 10 innovative projects provided with “first-stop and one-stop” consultation and co-ordination services by the PICO in 2019, what are the specific contents of each project, including the project title, nature and content of the project, major services provided by the PICO and progress?

4. Apart from the research projects funded by the research funding schemes, has the PICO conducted any policy research since its establishment? If yes, what are the research projects involved and the title, research content, cost and manpower involved, progress and follow-up position of each project? If no, what are the reasons and will there be such research in future?

Asked by: Hon YUNG Hoi-yan (LegCo internal reference no.: 26) Reply:

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1. The full-year remuneration and relevant expenditure of civil servants of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) in the revised estimates for 2019-20 and the estimates for 2020-21 are around $59.7 million and $60.8 million respectively. The details of the establishment and pay band of civil servants for the 2 financial years are as follows:

Rank Number Number Salary Point (2019-20) (2020-21) Directorate officers: Administrative Officer Staff 1 1 Directorate Pay Scale Grade A1 Point 8 Administrative Officer Staff 1 1 Directorate Pay Scale Grade B1 Point 4 Administrative Officer Staff 2 2 Directorate Pay Scale Grade B Point 3 Administrative Officer Staff 4 4 Directorate Pay Scale Grade C/Principal Economist Point 2 Total Directorate Civil 8 8 Service Establishment Non-directorate officers: Senior Administrative Officer/ 9 10* Master Pay Scale Senior Statistician/ Points 45-49 Senior Economist/ Senior Town Planner/ Chief Executive Officer Senior Executive Officer/ 7 8** Master Pay Scale Executive Officer I/ Points 22-44 Statistical Officer I Clerical and Secretarial Grades 21 21 Master Pay Scale Staff Points 1-33 Chauffeur/Motor Driver 2 2 Master Pay Scale Points 5-10 Total Non-Directorate Civil 39 41 Service Establishment Total Civil Service 47 49 Establishment * 1 new post to replace 1 Non-Civil Service Contract (NCSC) post in 2020-21. ** 1 new post in 2020-21.

In addition, PICO employed a total of 28 NCSC staff in 2019-20. The revised estimate of the full-year remuneration and relevant expenditure was around $19.9 million. It is expected that 24 contract staff will be employed in 2020-21 and the full-year remuneration and relevant expenditure will remain unchanged at around $19.9 million.

2. In the 2019-20 financial year, the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme provided a total funding of $20.12 million to 31 research projects and $12.81 million to 3 research projects respectively. All research projects are still in progress and their details are at Annex.

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3. In 2019-20, PICO received a total of 10 requests for the provision of“first-stop and one-stop” project consultation and co-ordination services, including 3 completed projects, namely the Extension of the Queensway Subway from Three Pacific Place to a new development at Anton Street/Landale Street, Shing Wong Street Community Living Room and “Green Cadogan” Community Edu-tainment Space. The details of the 10 projects are provided in the following table:

2 Shing Wong Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant After liaising with Street departments and the Urban Renewal relevant Community Authority (URA) to assist the proponent in departments, Living Room* applying for a currently idle site in Shing PICO learnt that Wong Street, Central and Western District the subject site on short term tenancy for community use. had been identified for other use. The URA has agreed to offer another site nearby to the proponent for short-term use. The URA will continue to follow up with the proponent. PICO has completed its co-ordination work.

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Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 3 “Green Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant After liaising with Cadogan” departments to assist the proponent in relevant Community applying for an idle stall at Cadogan Street, departments, Edu-tainment Central and Western District on short term PICO learnt that Space* tenancy for serving as a refuse recycling construction station. The stall is located near Cadogan works would be Street Temporary Garden in the former carried out at the Kennedy Town Vegetable Wholesale subject site by Market and is currently idle. government departments. Therefore, the application could not be processed and the proponent was informed of the reason. PICO has completed its co-ordination work.

4 Redevelopment Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is of Sheng Kung departments to assist the proponent in being handled by Hui Kei Oi redeveloping their existing facilities in PICO. Primary School Cheung Sha Wan to provide more social and Kei Oi welfare facilities. Church

6 Tin Shui Wai Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Neighbour-Wood departments to assist the proponent in being handled by applying for an abandoned fish pond PICO. farmland in Tin Shui Wai on short term tenancy for community farming and promotion of fishermen culture.

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Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 7 Tin Shui Wai Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is House of Stories departments to assist the proponent in being handled by applying for a piece of land in Tin Shui Wai PICO. Park on short term tenancy as a community art space.

10 Hong Kong Lego Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is Discovery Centre departments to assist the proponent in being handled by building an indoor theme amusement park PICO. in Tsim Sha Tsui to bring a new tourist attraction to Hong Kong. * The co-ordination work provided by PICO for the relevant projects has been completed. If necessary, PICO may continue to provide consultation services for project proponents.

Apart from the 10 new projects above, PICO continued to handle 1 project received in 2018-19, namely the STEAM School by the Shaw Foundation, in 2019-20. PICO was responsible for liaising and co-ordinating with relevant departments to assist the Shaw Foundation in setting up in Clearwater Bay the first school in Hong Kong with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) as its main direction of curriculum planning, with the aim of nurturing students interested in innovation and technology.

In addition, PICO received in January 2020 a request from the Hong Kong Institute of Family Education to provide project co-ordination services for its mask production plan, aiming to produce masks locally on a non-profit-making basis for the public and frontline workers of various sectors. PICO has provided liaison and co-ordination services for the project (including referring enquiries about mask production and testing to the Hong Kong Productivity Council) to facilitate the plan which will bring benefits to the general public.

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4. Since its establishment in April 2018, PICO has, in addition to co-ordinating the 2018 and 2019 Policy Addresses, supported the Chief Executive by providing policy research and co-ordination support and identifying innovative solutions for major cross-bureaux policies.

In 2018-19, PICO co-ordinated a number of major cross-bureaux policies and supported relevant bureaux in formulating policies, including providing research support for the new housing initiatives announced by the Chief Executive on 29 June 2018, undertaking policy research and meeting with the industry and stakeholders to listen to their views on the measures to enhance the development of high value-added maritime services as announced by the Chief Executive in the 2018 Policy Address, and conducting policy research and collating proposals from the relevant training bodies to take forward the Chief Executive’s initiative to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a regional talent hub.

In 2019-20, major cross-bureaux policies co-ordinated by PICO included: co-ordinating the package of 10 new livelihood initiatives announced by the Chief Executive on 14 January 2020; assisting the Food and Health Bureau by conducting research on the arrangements of advance directives and the relevant end-of-life care, meeting relevant policy bureaux, departments and stakeholders to listen to their views, and formulating proposals for public consultation (the relevant public consultation was completed in 2019); completing the study on the application of autonomous vehicle technology in Hong Kong for reference by the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department in considering the necessary legislative amendments; and completing the study on the provision of mobile payment services at petrol filling stations and providing research findings and suggestions to the Fire Services Department for its reference in handling related matters.

Co-ordinating major cross-bureaux policies and supporting relevant bureaux in formulating policies is one of the major functions of PICO and part of the daily work of its staff. Hence, we do not have a separate account for the manpower and expenditure involved in the tasks.

Session 6 CSO - Page 139

Session 6 CSO - Page 140

No. Approval Institution/ Project Title Funding Dates of Think Tank Amount the ($) Funding 11 2019-20 EdUHK Advancing Job and Health-associated 882,395 Second Outcomes for Employees of Small and Round Medium Enterprises in Hong Kong: A Study on Workplace Supervisor Support with Smartphone-based and Capacity- building Interventions 12 2019-20 EdUHK Hong Kong’s Professional Sector under 835,130 Second Regionalization Round 13 2019-20 LU Housing as an Intergenerational Project- 868,278 Second parental Resources, Parental Strategies Round and the Housing Opportunities of Young People in Hong Kong 14 2019-20 LU Privacy Challenges and Big Data in 268,870 Second Smart City Round 15 2019-20 BU A Study of Development of Esports in 573,637 Third Hong Kong Round 16 2019-20 CityU Investigation on Incorporating Adjacent 333,118 Third Shading Effect into Overall Thermal Round Transfer Value Regulation for Energy- Efficient Building Design in Hong Kong 17 2019-20 CityU Correlates of Family Strengths in Hong 600,000 Third Kong - Implication for Family Round Wellbeing Policy 18 2019-20 Civic Managing Vibrant Streets: Street 1,300,000 Third Exchange Performance Policy in Hong Kong Round 19 2019-20 CUHK Improving the Effectiveness of Cross- 364,268 Third boundary Securities Law Enforcement Round Between Hong Kong and Mainland China 20 2019-20 EdUHK Decomposing Between- and Within- 360,578 Third group Income Inequality in Hong Kong: Round Politics, Welfare, and Identity

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Session 6 CSO - Page 142

Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

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Session 6 CSO - Page 143

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO040 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 0590)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide the numbers of applications involving cases of criminal prosecution against alleged illegal acts in public places in the past 3 years, with a breakdown by age group:

Aged under 18 Year Type of offence Number of Number of applicants applications approved

Aged 19 - 21 Year Type of offence Number of Number of applicants applications approved

Aged 22 - 25 Year Type of offence Number of Number of applicants applications approved

Aged 26 - 30 Year Type of offence Number of Number of applicants applications approved

Asked by: Hon CHOW Ho-ding, Holden (LegCo internal reference no.: 12) Reply:

Session 6 CSO - Page 144

Criminal legal aid covers committal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Courts, cases tried in the District Court, the Court of First Instance and all criminal appeals, irrespective of the nature of offences. While the Legal Aid Department maintains statistics on the number of criminal legal aid applications according to the level of courts, it does not maintain separate statistics according to the nature of offences or the age of the applicants.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 145

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO041 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2761)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (3) Support Services

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the assessment and payment of fees to the assigned solicitors and counsel, please inform this Committee of: 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 the average time taken from the conclusion of the case to the first payment received by solicitor or counsel the average time taken from the conclusion of the case to the payment of 75% of the assessed estimated sum received by solicitor or counsel the average time taken from the delivery of judgments by the Court to the full payment received by solicitors or counsel

Asked by: Hon KWOK Wing-hang, Dennis (LegCo internal reference no.: 101) Reply:

The Legal Aid Department (LAD) does not maintain statistics on the average time taken for effecting payments to solicitors or counsel. However, LAD has a performance pledge for effecting advance and balance payments to lawyers, experts or other parties and maintained records on its compliance with the pledge as a measure of meeting the Department’s customer service standard performance targets. The compliance rates on meeting the payment pledge from 2017 to 2019 are set out as follows –

Session 6 CSO - Page 146

Performance Actual Performance Payee Service Delivery Standard Target 2017 2018 2019

Lawyers / Advance Payment Experts / Within 6 weeks from receipt 95% 99% 99% 98% Other of bill Parties Balance Payment Within 6 weeks from date of agreement of all costs and disbursements related to the 95% 99% 98% 97% case, or receipts of all monies due to the aided person and the Director of Legal Aid, whichever is later

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Session 6 CSO - Page 147

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO042 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 1165)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: A) Please provide in the table below the details of legal aid granted each year in the past 3 years: Case Applications Applications Average Average/ Success Average types at received refused percentage 25th rates of days of different (Appeals to of percentile/ cases trial court which contribution median/ levels applications towards the 75th related were legal costs percentile allowed) of the legal aid costs Criminal appeals in the Court of Final Appeal Civil appeals in the Court of Final Appeal Criminal appeals in the Court of Appeal

B) Please set out the information on the top 10 cases granted with the highest amount of legal aid costs in each of the past 3 years, including the case number, the legal aid costs, the percentage of contribution towards the legal costs, the particulars of the lawyer teams and law firms concerned, and the ruling.

Session 6 CSO - Page 148

C) Please set out the particulars of the lawyers and law firms receiving the highest amount of legal aid fees in each of the past 5 years.

Asked by: Hon LAM Kin-fung, Jeffrey (LegCo internal reference no.: 26) Reply:

Criminal appeals in the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) and the Court of Appeal (CA)

The number of criminal legal aid applications for appeals in the CFA and the CA which were received and refused during the past 3 years are as follows :

Year CFA CA Applications Applications Applications Applications received refused received refused 2017 148 101 542 381 2018 123 86 501 361 2019 101 80 531 354 Note : The number of applications refused may include applications received in the previous year(s).

The Legal Aid Department (LAD) does not maintain separate statistics on the number of applicants whose criminal legal aid applications for appeal in the CFA or the CA were refused but their subsequent appeals to the relevant courts were allowed. If an applicant is refused criminal legal aid to appeal on merits to the CA, he can apply to the appeal judge who may grant the applicant an appeal aid certificate provided that the applicant is eligible on means. The numbers of appeal aid certificates granted by the appeal judges are as follows :

Year Certificates granted by Judges 2017 13 2018 14 2019 11

“Success rate” is inapplicable to criminal cases, as criminal proceedings could result in a variety of outcomes (e.g. suspended prison sentence instead of immediate imprisonment, conviction of some but not all of the charges against the defendant) which makes categorisation of the cases as “successful” or otherwise inappropriate.

Civil appeals in the CFA

The numbers of civil legal aid applications received and refused for appeals in the CFA, as well as the success rate of cases, in the past 3 years are as follows :

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1. Numbers of civil legal aid applications received and refused for appeals in the CFA

Year Applications Applications refused* received

2017 12 17 2018 53 33 2019 59 52

* The number of applications refused may include applications received in the previous year(s).

2. No. of successful cases:

No. of CFA cases No. of successful cases involving legally aided (success rate) persons of which accounts were finalised 2017 12 7 (58%) 2018 3 0 (0%) 2019 3 0 (0%)

Similarly the LAD does not maintain separate statistics on the number of applicants whose civil legal aid applications for appeals in the CFA were refused but their subsequent appeals in the CFA were allowed.

For civil cases involving appeal to the CFA, the applicant whose legal aid application was refused by the LAD can seek a review by the Review Committee to be convened by the Registrar of the High Court under section 26A of the Legal Aid Ordinance (LAO), Cap. 91. In the past 3 years, no review was heard by the Review Committee on the Director of Legal Aid's decisions to refuse legal aid applications.

In respect of the civil and criminal appeals in the CFA and criminal appeals in the CA mentioned above, the LAD does not maintain separate statistics on the average percentage of contribution towards the legal costs incurred, the amount of the average/25th percentile/median/75th percentile of legal aid costs incurred, and the average days of trials before these courts.

B) Information on the top 10 cases granted with the highest amount of legal aid costs in each of the past 3 years is as follows:

Session 6 CSO - Page 150

10 Highest Costs Cases % of Civil/Criminal Contribution contribution Year Rank Costs ($) Ruling/Outcome case Paid ($)# towards the legal costs# 2017 1 Civil 7,948,957 41,408 0.52% In favour 2 Civil 6,629,326 17,130 0.26% Not In favour 3 Civil 6,283,127 37,635 0.60% Not In favour 4 Civil 4,334,303 8,886 0.21% In favour 5 Criminal 4,326,105 212,319 4.91% N/A 6 Civil 3,011,815 1,000 0.03% Not In favour 7 Civil 2,619,949 3,105 0.12% Not In favour 8 Civil 2,584,534 0 0% Not In favour 9 Civil 2,332,011 43,950 1.88% In favour 10 Civil 2,300,000 26,664 1.16% In favour 2018 1 Civil 7,595,647 1,000 0.01% Not In favour 2 Civil 6,790,898 0 0% In favour 3 Civil 5,388,436 0 0% Not In favour 4 Civil 5,367,106 0 0% Not In favour 5 Civil 4,998,808 0 0% Not In favour 6 Civil 4,903,103 0 0% Not In favour 7 Civil 4,489,132 1,000 0.02% In favour 8 Civil 3,655,550 0 0% In favour 9 Civil 2,654,277 3,974 0.15% Not In favour 10 Civil 2,467,727 0 0% In favour 2019 1 Criminal 5,434,132 17,217 0.32% N/A 2 Civil 5,099,964 0 0% In favour 3 Civil 4,771,414 0 0% In favour 4 Civil 4,596,500 1,000 0.02% Not In favour 5 Civil 4,442,840 0 0% In favour 6 Civil 4,271,301 0 0% In favour 7 Criminal 3,983,655 1,839,893 46.19% N/A 8 Civil 3,602,332 1,000 0.03% In favour 9 Civil 3,118,359 2,000 0.06% Not In favour 10 Civil 3,108,492 0 0% Not In favour

# For some cases, aided persons are not required to pay the contribution as they have already paid the contribution in the connected lower court cases.

Pursuant to the LAO, legal aid cases are assigned to lawyers on the Legal Aid Panel on an individual basis rather than on a law firm basis. As such, the LAD does not maintain assignment statistics on a law firm basis. Moreover, due to the restriction on disclosure of information imposed by the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), the LAD is not at liberty to provide the case numbers, or the particulars of the lawyers and their law firms assigned by the LAD to handle legal aid cases without their written consent.

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C) Information on the top 10 lawyers receiving the highest amount of legal aid fees for both civil and criminal cases in each of the past 5 years is as follows :

Year Solicitor Counsel Fee received ($) Fee received ($) 2015 5,562,649 3,954,272 2016 4,290,881 4,511,388 2017 6,472,084 3,647,001 2018 6,686,047 2,781,070 2019 8,542,938 4,449,064 Note 1: The amount of fees paid to the solicitor/counsel might not necessarily be related to the legal aid work assigned to him/her in the same period. Note 2: Fees are rounded up/down to the nearest dollar.

Similarly due to the reasons in Part (B) above, the LAD is not at liberty to provide particulars of the lawyers or their law firms receiving the highest amount of fees without their written consent.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 152

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO043 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2000)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Will the Government consider extending the coverage of the legal aid system to Hong Kong residents subject to criminal prosecution overseas? What are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon TO Kun-sun, James (LegCo internal reference no.: 808) Reply:

Legal aid services form an integral part of the legal system in Hong Kong. The policy objective of legal aid is to ensure that all those who comply with the requirements of the Legal Aid Ordinance (Chapter 91) and have reasonable grounds for pursuing or defending a legal action in the courts of Hong Kong will not be denied access to justice due to a lack of means. Extending the scope of the current legal aid scheme to jurisdictions outside Hong Kong involves the application of the merits tests on cases litigated in a foreign jurisdiction with its own laws, assigning lawyers from Hong Kong to assist in the cases concerned, as well as continued monitoring of the trial and appeal proceedings of the cases. These will give rise to obvious complications in actual practice.

It has been the Legal Aid Department's understanding that none of the common law jurisdictions has extended their legal aid services to criminal litigation matters involving their nationals outside their territories. The Government has no plan to extend the current legal aid system to cover Hong Kong residents facing criminal prosecution overseas.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 153

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO044 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2003)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (2) Litigation Services

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Will the Government please inform this Committee: a) of the details of the implementation of the limit system on assigning work to solicitors and counsel to avoid monopolisation; b) of the number of solicitors and counsel whose assigned cases reached the upper limits under the system last year; c) whether there is an assessment of the types of cases commonly represented by solicitors and counsel reaching the assignment limits; d) whether the Government will consider relaxing the limits.

Asked by: Hon TO Kun-sun, James (LegCo internal reference no.: 811) Reply:

(a) The Legal Aid Department (LAD) has devised a set of criteria on the assignment of legal aid cases including imposing limits on the number of cases assigned to solicitors and counsel. These criteria have been endorsed by the Legal Aid Services Council (LASC). The overall legal aid (including civil and criminal) assignment limits for solicitors and counsel are 60 and 45 respectively within the past 12 months.

(b) In 2019, no solicitors or counsel were assigned with cases more than the relevant permitted limits.

(c) LAD does not maintain statistics on the types of cases commonly represented by solicitors and counsel reaching the assignment limits.

(d) The assignment limits to solicitors and counsel were reduced in 2018 with the endorsement of the LASC with a view to combating illicit touting activities and avoiding the concentration of assignment cases on a small number of solicitors and

Session 6 CSO - Page 154 counsel. Currently the system is working well and the Government does not have any plans to relax the assignment limits.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 155

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO045 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 2483)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In the past 3 financial years, I had received many requests for assistance from members of the public (in particular, in districts with more grassroots such as Kwun Tong and Wong Tai Sin) regarding legal aid services. Many help-seekers complained that they did not know how to fill in the legal aid application forms and were unsure about the documents to be submitted when applying for legal aid. They had tried to seek help from the staff of the Legal Aid Department (LAD) but were ignored. In this connection, will the Government please inform this Committee of the following:

(1) Of all the legal aid applications in the past 3 financial years, whether the LAD has maintained any statistics on the number of applicants who had requested the LAD to fill in the application forms on their behalf or asked for assistance;

(2) In view of the complaints that there is insufficient support from the LAD for applicants applying for legal aid, will the Government consider responding to public demands by making use of the increased financial provisions of $1,721.2 million in the coming financial year, and re-allocating part of the manpower and financial resources to provide clerical support services to legal aid applicants and expedite their application for services? If yes, what are the manpower and expenditure involved? If no, what are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon TSE Wai-chun, Paul (LegCo internal reference no.: 55) Reply:

1) The Legal Aid Department (LAD) does not maintain statistics on the number of applicants who had requested LAD to fill in the application forms on their behalf or asked for assistance.

2) LAD is not aware of any complaints concerning the filling in of application forms or the lack of clerical support to applicants.

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Applicants who have queries or need help in completing the application forms are advised to approach our staff at the reception counters for assistance. Guidance notes on how to complete an application form and a checklist setting out the necessary accompanying documents are provided to the applicants along with the application form. Samples of completed application forms are available from our staff at the reception counter and may also be viewed or downloaded from LAD’s website. In addition, leaflets regarding the eligibility criteria for legal aid are available at the counter and LAD’s website.

Completed application forms and documents received by LAD will be vetted by our staff. Where information/documents in support of an application is found missing, an interview will be arranged for the applicants so that they would be assisted in completing the application process and advised on the documents required to be submitted.

The expenditure on support and clerical services provided to the applicants will be absorbed within the existing resource provisions of LAD.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 157

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO046 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3857)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In respect of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary, please tabulate: 1. their respective expenditures on overseas duty visits, receiving guests, entertainment and presenting gifts; and 2. the total amount of various external donations and the largest amount of donation they received respectively in the past year.

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 154) Reply:

In 2019-20 (as at 29 February 2020), the expenses on overseas duty visits and official entertainment incurred by Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary are as follows:

Expenses on Expenses on overseas duty visits official entertainment Office of the Chief --- About $26,000 Secretary for Administration Office of the Financial About $2,491,000 About $118,000 Secretary

In addition, the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Financial Secretary (FS) are eligible for an annual non-accountable entertainment allowance for meeting expenses on official entertainment at their official residences. In 2019-20, the allowances for CS and FS were $477,600 and $366,100 respectively.

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In line with the Government’s green policy, public officers should as far as possible refrain from bestowing gifts or souvenirs to others during the conduct of official activities. According to the existing guidelines, where bestowal of gifts or souvenirs is necessary or unavoidable due to operational, protocol or other reasons, such items should not be extravagant and the number should be kept to a minimum, and the exchange should only be made from organisation to organisation. We do not maintain separate accounts for the expenses on the procurement of gifts and souvenirs.

CS and FS received sponsorships of hotel accommodation and in-town transportation from some hosting governments during overseas duty visits (the actual amount of sponsorships received is not available). Apart from these sponsorships, Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary did not receive external donations.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO047 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3862)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: According to the Programme, it is the responsibility of the Government Records Service (GRS) to identify and preserve records of archival value, valuable government publications and printed materials, and provide storage and disposal services for inactive records. In this connection, please provide in tabular form the following information: (1) the total number (and linear metres) of records, publications and printed materials transferred or pending transfer by government departments that were appraised by GRS in the past year; (2) the total number (and linear metres) of records, publications and printed materials transferred by government departments that were retained and preserved by GRS in the past year; and (3) the total number (and linear metres) of records, publications and printed materials appraised by government departments that were approved for destruction by GRS in the past year.

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 160) Reply:

Records appraisal is an important process for ascertaining the archival value of government records. Archivist grade officers of the Government Records Service (GRS) have developed a set of appraisal guidelines based on the experience of and standards adopted by other overseas jurisdictions. Records likely to be selected for permanent retention should possess one of the following qualities:

Session 6 CSO - Page 160

(iii) documenting the impact of the decisions, policies and programmes of the Government upon the physical environment, community, organisations or individuals; (iv) documenting the interaction between the public and the Government as well as between the physical environment and the Government; (v) documenting the legal rights and obligations of individuals, groups, organisations and the Government; or (vi) containing significant or unique information or aged documents that can enrich the understanding about the history, physical environment, society, culture, economy and people of Hong Kong.

Bureaux/Departments (B/Ds) are required to transfer records identified as having archival value to GRS for permanent retention according to the relevant record disposal schedules.

As for destruction of records, B/Ds should take into account the administrative, operational, fiscal and legal requirements as well as the archival value of the records when disposing records. All requests for destruction of records should be processed in accordance with the requirements set out in the relevant disposal schedules approved by GRS. Whether a record possesses archival value or potential archival value should have been determined at the time when disposal schedules were drawn up. Time-expired records having no archival value should only be destroyed with GRS Director’s prior agreement. For records having potential archival value, they would be further appraised by the Public Records Office of GRS. Time- expired records having archival value would be identified and transferred to GRS for permanent retention, and only those confirmed to be of no archival value would be agreed by GRS Director for destruction.

The numbers and linear metres (lm) of records appraised, transferred to GRS for permanent retention and approved for destruction in 2019 are as follows:

Records transferred to Records approved for Records appraised GRS for permanent destruction* retention

No. lm No. lm No. lm 132 032 4 029 55 223 610 94 343 000 63 750

*As regards records referred to in this column, routine records (mainly programme records) of 10 departments took up over 92% of the number of records (over 52% of lm). Such records include arrival and departure cards of the Immigration Department; computer printouts of tax-related systems of the Inland Revenue Department; import and export cargo manifests of the Census and Statistics Department and the Trade and Industry Department; licensing transaction records of the Transport Department; public files of companies registered under the Companies Ordinance of the Companies Registry; various types of general and departmental forms of the Hong Kong Police Force; records relating to fire service ambulance operations of the Fire Services Department; request forms for laboratory tests of the Department of Health; and counterfoils of Government Rent Demand Notes of the Lands Department.

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As for publications and printed materials, the Central Preservation Library for Government Publications (CPL) selects and preserves government publications and printed materials with permanent retention value. B/Ds will forward a copy of their new publications and printed materials to CPL for selection. While CPL is not responsible for granting approval for the destruction of B/Ds’ library items, it will select suitable library items for preservation. In 2019, CLP has received 2 087 publications and printed materials and selected 602 items for preservation. We do not keep statistics in “linear metre” in respect of the selected library items.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO048 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3864)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: According to Programme (2), the estimated financial provision for the Government Records Service for 2020-21 is $111.7 million, 21.7% higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. What are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 166) Reply:

The provision for the Government Records Service for 2020-21 is $19.9 million (21.7%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in general departmental expenses and expenditure for hire of services for enhancing records management work, including the comprehensive review of records retention and disposal schedules of bureaux / departments (B/Ds) and strengthening training on records management, as well as the net increase of 12 posts in 2020-21 for strengthening the services of the Public Records Office, digitising archival holdings, and assisting B/Ds in implementing electronic recordkeeping system. The increase in expenditure is partly offset by the reduced provision for replacement of minor plant and equipment.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO049 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3867)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: (1) What were the expenditures for the renovation of the official residences of the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Financial Secretary (FS) and amongst them, the respective items renovated in the past 2 years? (2) What were the respective operational expenditure, staff establishment and staff remuneration expenditure for the official residences of CS and FS in the past year? And what are the estimated operational expenditures, staff establishment and staff remuneration expenditures for the coming year? (3) What were the respective maintenance fees for the official residences of CS and FS in the past year? And what are the estimated maintenance fees for the coming year?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 169) Reply:

CS’ official residence (CSOR) and FS’ official residence (FSOR) are both Grade 2 historic buildings. These historic buildings require appropriate maintenance for them to be conserved properly. As in the case of other government buildings, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) carries out routine facility upkeep for both official residences having regard to actual needs. The expenditure on related works projects in 2018-19 and 2019-20 is set out below:

Official Related works projects Financial Year ($’000)* residence 2018-19 2019-20 (as at Feb 2020) CSOR Replace aged external water pipes, 300 1,330 security improvement works, statutory tests for electrical installations, installation of lighting and lighting control system, etc.

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Official Related works projects Financial Year ($’000)* residence 2018-19 2019-20 (as at Feb 2020) FSOR Repair the wear and tear of building 170 340 structure and floor coating, replace worn-out carpets, touch-up painting of external walls, waterproofing works for roof, fencing improvement works, etc.

* Same as other government buildings, the expenditure on maintenance works for the CSOR and the FSOR is funded under Subhead 000 of Head 25 (ArchSD); while refurbishment and improvement works are funded by the Capital Works Reserve Fund. The cost figures provided in the table cover the expenditure on the 3 said categories of works. As the costs for most of the works projects are not settled within the same financial year, the figures shown above reflect the total expenditure as indicated in the cash flow of that particular financial year.

In 2020-21, the estimated operational expenditure on maintenance of government buildings under Subhead 000 of Head 25 is $856 million, covering the maintenance works for all government buildings and facilities including the CSOR and the FSOR. At present, the Capital Works Reserve Fund estimates for 2020-21 do not include any new works project for the CSOR and the FSOR.

Regarding the CSOR, the revised estimated expenditure for 2019-20 and the estimated operational expenditure for 2020-21 are $3.9 million and $3.94 million respectively, including the remuneration of 6 housekeeping staff.

Regarding the FSOR, the revised estimated expenditure for 2019-20 and the estimated operational expenditure for 2020-21 are $2.70 million and $2.82 million respectively, including the remuneration of 5 housekeeping staff.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO050 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3871)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Will the Government please set out the estimated operational expenditure, staff establishment and estimated annual remuneration expenditure for the Financial Secretary (FS)’s official residence for 2020-21, the maintenance fee for the FS’s official residence in 2019-20 and the estimated maintenance fee for the FS’s official residence for 2020-21?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 173) Reply:

The estimated operational expenditure of FS’ official residence (FSOR) in 2020-21 is about $2.82 million, which includes the remuneration of 5 housekeeping staff.

As the FSOR is a Grade 2 historic building, appropriate facilities upkeep has to be carried out as and when necessary for proper conservation. As in the case of other government buildings, the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) carries out routine facilities upkeep for the official residence having regard to actual needs. The relevant expenditure in 2019-20 (as at February 2020) was $340,0001.

In 2020-21, the estimated operational expenditure on maintenance of government buildings under Subhead 000 of Head 25 is $856 million, covering the maintenance works for all government premises and facilities including the FSOR. ArchSD will carry out refurbishment and improvement works according to actual needs. At present, the Capital Works Reserve Fund estimates for 2020-21 do not include any new works projects for the FSOR.

1 The expenditure for maintenance works is funded under Subhead 000 of Head 25 (ArchSD), while refurbishment and improvement works are funded under the Capital Works Reserve Fund. The cost figure provided covers the expenditure on the said 3 categories of works. As the costs for most of the works projects are not settled within

Session 6 CSO - Page 166 the same year, the figure shown above reflects the total expenditure as indicated in the cash flow of that particular financial year.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO051 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3876)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (4) Protocol Division

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: It is stated in the Programme that the Protocol Division’s responsibility is to plan and co- ordinate visits to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by national leaders and overseas senior officials. Would the Government advise this Committee of the number of visits by national leaders and senior officials of various countries to Hong Kong that the Protocol Division was responsible for co-ordinating in the past 3 years? Who were the national dignitaries involved? And what were the expenditure and manpower involved in these arrangements?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 178) Reply:

In the past 3 years (from 2017-18 to 2019-20), the Protocol Division received a total of 440 visits to Hong Kong by national leaders and overseas senior officials. National leaders include President of the People’s Republic of China, Vice-Chairmen of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee and State Councillors. Overseas senior officials and international dignitaries include officials at the levels of Head/Deputy Head of State, Head/Deputy Head of Government, members of Royal Family, and ministerial officials. The expenditures incurred by the visits are appended below: Year Number of dignitaries Expenditure ($ million) 2017-18 189 48.18 2018-19 159 0.94 2019-20 92 0.52 (as at 29 February 2020) There are 3 officers in the Protocol Division who are responsible for co-ordinating the visits of these guests.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 168

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO052 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3879)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (4) Protocol Division

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Under this Programme, the provision for 2020-21 is $5.2 million (10.1%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the filling of vacancies and an increase of 1 post in 2020-21. Would the Government inform this Committee of the details about the additional post in 2020-21?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 181) Reply:

The Protocol Division will create an additional Chief Executive Officer post in 2020-21 to strengthen the manpower support for its Honours Section.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO053 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3880)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the free legal advice services provided by the Administration Wing, would the Government please provide the following information:

1. the average waiting time for the public to receive free legal advice services at district offices in the past 3 years with breakdown by district office; and

2. the scope of the free legal advice services, the number of beneficiaries and cases handled; the number of lawyers participating in the Free Legal Advice Scheme; the policies to promote and publicise the scheme in this financial year; as well as the manpower required and expenditure involved?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 182) Reply:

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2. FLAS provides free preliminary legal advice without means testing to members of the public as to their legal position in genuine cases. In 2019, a total of 7 256 cases were handled and 1 217 lawyers registered as volunteer lawyers under FLAS.

In 2020-21, the Government will continue to work with DLS and 2 legal professional bodies to encourage more voluntary lawyers to participate in FLAS. Publicity information is available at relevant court registries, offices, non-governmental organisations and on the internet.

DLS has a total of 3 staff members responsible for providing administrative support for FLAS. The expenditure of FLAS in 2019 was $1.6 million.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 171

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO054 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3887)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Would the Government inform this Committee of: (1) the estimated expenditure for the annual remuneration of the Financial Secretary in 2020- 21; and (2) the estimated expenditure for the annual remuneration of for the Chief Secretary for Administration in 2020-21?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 189) Reply:

The provisions earmarked for the annual salaries of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary in 2020-21 are about $4.63 million and $4.47 million respectively.

As approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration of Politically Appointed Officials (PAOs) will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C). The relevant expenses for 2020-21 will be reflected in the Revised Estimates for the same year.

The adjustment to cash remuneration expenses of PAOs will be met by internal redeployment of resources in relevant bureaux/offices and no additional provision is required.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 172

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO055 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3975)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise this Committee of the following:

(1) What was the amount involved in the reimbursement claims made by the staff of the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary (the Offices) to the Government for the expenses of purchasing masks from 29 February to 9 March 2020? What was the quantity of masks purchased by the staff who made these reimbursement claims?

(2) What were the quantity of masks procured directly by the Offices and the amount of expenditure involved from 29 February to 9 March 2020?

(3) Did the Chief Secretary for Administration use the masks produced by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) from 1 February to 9 March 2020? If so, how many were used, and why did the Secretary use such masks and not purchase them at his own expenses?

(4) Did the Financial Secretary use the masks produced by the CSD from 1 February to 9 March 2020? If so, how many were used, and why did the Secretary use such masks and not purchase them at his own expenses?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Chi-chuen (LegCo internal reference no.: 255) Reply:

Arising from the rapid developments of the epidemic situation, the demand for protective items (including masks) by government departments will change according to the requirements for anti-epidemic work. The Government Logistics Department (GLD) and different government departments are making their best efforts to procure through various channels and means, and will continue to review the stock of and demand for protective items.

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With an upsurge in the global demand for protective items, the Government is facing keen competition in its procurement. The Government considers it inappropriate at this stage to disclose further information about the quantities procured, amounts paid and consumption of protective items in individual departments so as not to undermine the bargaining power of the GLD and departments concerned in procuring the protective items.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 174

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO056 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4376)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please set out the actual expenditure incurred by the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively since its establishment on 10 July 2018.

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 342) Reply:

The actual expenditure incurred by the Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project (the Commission) in 2018-19 and 2019-20 (as at 29 February 2020) was $48.3 million and $36.7 million respectively.

As the major tasks of the Commission had been completed before April 2020, most of its operational expenses were settled in or before 2019-20. Only a small portion of the operational expenses will have to be settled in 2020-21, mainly including the salaries and related expenditure for the remaining staff of the Secretariat of the Commission, cleaning and security costs, and expenses related to the work to wind up the Secretariat of the Commission such as transportation costs for returning of records and inventories to the Government, etc.. Therefore, the expenditure to be incurred in 2020-21 has yet to be confirmed.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 175

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO057 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4843)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise this Committee on the following: (1) In the past 5 years, how many senior executives of publicly-funded organisations were paid at a level equivalent to the directorate level in the civil service? What organisations were they from? What was the average annual salary? (2) Is there any mechanism for the Government to monitor the salaries paid to senior executives of publicly-funded organisations in order to ensure that public money is properly spent?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 408) Reply:

According to the Government’s current Guidelines for the Control and Monitoring of Remuneration Practices in Respect of Senior Staff in Subvented Organisations (the Guidelines), except for exempted organisations1, all subvented organisations which receive more than 50% of their operating income from the Government’s recurrent subvention should review the number, ranking and remuneration of staff at their top 3 tiers and submit review reports to their relevant Directors of Bureaux regularly. The Guidelines aim to strike a balance between control and flexibility through creating a ceiling effect and providing a broad framework for the remuneration arrangements of subvented organisations, with a view to enhancing their accountability and ensuring the proper use of public funds.

According to the Guidelines, the relevant Director of Bureau will, in assessing the appropriateness of the number and ranking of senior positions of a subvented organisation, take into account the functions and overall staffing structure of the concerned organisation, the nature and complexity of duties being performed by each of the top three-tier staff in question, and the ranking for comparable jobs in the civil service. In evaluating the appropriateness of remuneration packages for the top three-tier positions of a subvented organisation, the Director of Bureau will compare the average total remuneration cost for each

Session 6 CSO - Page 176 tier of staff (including salary and fringe benefits) with that of civil servants at comparable ranks (including salary and fringe benefits). Where there are no comparable jobs in the civil service, reference should be made to market practices. In general, the ranking of the senior staff of a subvented organisation should not exceed Directorate Pay Scale D8 or equivalent.

If a review report reveals irregularities in the remuneration practices of a subvented organisation, the relevant Director of Bureau should follow up with the concerned organisation with a view to rectifying the situation as soon as possible.

To enhance transparency, Directors of Bureaux are required under the Guidelines to work out and agree with the subvented organisation concerned suitable arrangements for public disclosure of their review reports. Common channels of disclosure include publication through the websites of subvented organisations and/or the relevant bureaux/departments, or release as part of the annual reports of the organisations. For example, for those organisations receiving subventions from the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and required to submit review reports on remuneration packages for their staff at the top three tiers, their review reports for the year 2018-19 have been uploaded onto the SWD’s website (https://www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_ngo/page_AFRandRR/) after review by the department. The review reports contain information on the number of top three-tier staff, their comparable ranks in the civil service (if applicable) and the average total remuneration cost for each tier of staff.

------1 Exempted organisations include (a) organisations where government funds are provided as sponsorship fees; (b) organisations to which government funds are provided as fees for the procurement of services; (c) organisations, or particular divisions of certain large organisations, where their top three-tier positions are funded entirely by the organisations’ income from sources other than the Government; (d) organisations where their top three-tier positions are filled entirely by civil servants; (e) organisations receiving subventions of less than $10 million a year; and (f) organisations that are subject to statutory provisions or decisions approved by the Executive Council/Legislative Council on staffing matters, and where the provisions/decisions are in conflict with the guidelines or have prescribed separate monitoring and control mechanisms.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO058 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4894)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the work in relation to the Code on Access to Information, will the Government advise this Committee on the following:

1) Concerning the requests for information under the Code on Access to Information received by Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary from October 2018 to present for which only some of the required information has been provided, please state in table form: (i) the content of the requests for which only some of the required information has been provided; (ii) the reasons for providing some of the information only; (iii) whether the decision on withholding some of the information was made at the directorate (D1 or D2) level (according to paragraph 1.8.2 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application); (iv) whether the decision on withholding some of the information was made subject to a “harm or prejudice test”, i.e. whether the public interest in disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could result from disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application)? If yes, please provide the details.

From October to December 2018

(i) Content of (ii) Reasons (iii) Whether the (iv) Whether the decision the requests for for providing decision on on withholding some of the which only some of the withholding some of information was made some of the information the information was subject to a “harm or required only made at the prejudice test”, i.e. information directorate (D1 or D2) whether the public interest was provided level (according to in disclosure of such paragraph 1.8.2 of the information outweighs any Guidelines on harm or prejudice that Interpretation and could result from Application) disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the

Session 6 CSO - Page 178

Guidelines on Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

2019

(i) Content of (ii) Reasons (iii) Whether the (iv) Whether the decision the requests for for providing decision on on withholding some of the which only some of the withholding some of information was made some of the information the information was subject to a “harm or required only made at the prejudice test”, i.e. whether information directorate (D1 or the public interest in was provided D2) level (according disclosure of such to paragraph 1.8.2 of information outweighs any the Guidelines on harm or prejudice that Interpretation and could result from Application) disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

2) Concerning the requests for information under the Code on Access to Information received by Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary from October 2018 to present for which the required information has not been provided, please state in table form: (i) the content of the requests refused; (ii) the reasons for refusal; (iii) whether the decision on withholding the information was made at the directorate (D1 or D2) level (according to paragraph 1.8.2 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application); (iv) whether the decision on withholding the information was made subject to a “harm or prejudice test”, i.e. whether the public interest in disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could result from disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application)? If yes, please provide the details.

From October to December 2018

(i) Content of (ii) Reasons (iii) Whether the (iv) Whether the decision the requests for refusal decision on on withholding the refused withholding the information was made information was subject to a “harm or made at the prejudice test”, i.e. whether directorate (D1 or the public interest in D2) level (according disclosure of such to paragraph 1.8.2 of information outweighs any the Guidelines on harm or prejudice that

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Interpretation and could result from Application) disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

2019

(i) Content of (ii) Reasons (iii) Whether the (iv) Whether the decision the requests for for providing decision on on withholding the which only some of the withholding some of information was made some of the information the information was subject to a “harm or required only made at the prejudice test”, i.e. whether information directorate (D1 or the public interest in was provided D2) level (according disclosure of such to paragraph 1.8.2 of information outweighs any the Guidelines on harm or prejudice that Interpretation and could result from Application) disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

3) Any person who believes that a department has failed to comply with any provision of the Code on Access to Information may ask the department to review the situation. Please advise this Committee in each of the past 5 years, (i) the number of review cases received; (ii) the number of cases, among the review cases received in the year, in which further information was disclosed after review; (iii) whether the decisions on review were made at the directorate (D1 or D2) level.

Year in which (i) Number of (ii) Number of cases, (iii) Whether the decisions review cases review cases among the review on review were made at the were received received cases received in the directorate (D1 or D2) year, in which level further information was disclosed after review 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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4) With reference to the target response times set out in paragraphs 1.16.1 to 1.19.1 of Guidelines on Interpretation and Application of the Code on Access to Information, please advise this Committee on the following information by year in table form (with text descriptions).

(a) Within 10 days from date of receipt of a written request: Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of requests for requests requests for requests for applications which the involving which the information which the information third party information which were applicants requested information requested refused indicated was for which could not be under the that they did provided the provided exemption not wish to information since the provisions proceed requested requests had in Part 2 of with and could not be to be the Code on withdrew provided transferred Access to since they to another Information did not department accept the which held charge the information under request 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

Within 10 to 21 days from date of receipt of a written request: Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of requests for requests requests for requests for applications which the involving which the information which the information third party information which were applicants requested information requested refused indicated was for which could not be under the that they did provided the provided exemption not wish to information since the provisions proceed requested requests had in Part 2 of with and could not be to be the Code on withdrew provided transferred Access to since they to another Information did not department accept the which held charge the information under request

Session 6 CSO - Page 181

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

Within 21 to 51 days from date of receipt of a written request: Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of requests for requests requests for requests for applications which the involving which the information which the information third party information which were applicants requested information requested refused indicated was for which could not be under the that they did provided the provided exemption not wish to information since the provisions proceed requested requests had in Part 2 of with and could not be to be the Code on withdrew provided transferred Access to since they to another Information did not department accept the which held charge the information under request 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

(b) cases in which information could not be provided within 21 days from date of receipt of a request in the past 5 years:

Subject of information Date Specific reason requested

(c) cases in which information could not be provided within 51 days from date of receipt of a request in the past 5 years:

Subject of information Date Specific reason requested

Session 6 CSO - Page 182 fully accepted in the end? For cases where the advice of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data was not accepted or was only partially accepted, what are the reasons?

Particular Reasons for exemption refusing to provision in Whether the accept or only Part 2 of the advice of the partially Code on Privacy accepting the Date Subject Access to Commissioner advice of the Information for Personal Privacy under which Data was fully Commissioner requests for accepted for Personal information Data were refused

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 464) Reply:

During the period from October 2018 to September 2019, among the requests for information under the Code on Access to Information (the Code) received by Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary, there were 3 applications for which only part of the required information was provided. The decisions concerned were all made by officers at directorate level and had undergone the “harm or prejudice test”, i.e. the harm or prejudice that could result from disclosure of such information outweighs the public interest in disclosure of the information in the concerned cases. The reasons for providing some of the information only in the 3 applications are as follows -

(a) in accordance with paragraph 2.14 “Third party information” of the Code, we did not provide an applicant with information in relation to individual applications for the use of National Flag or its design;

(b) in accordance with paragraph 2.10(b) “Internal discussion and advice” of the Code, we did not provide another applicant with information in relation to scrutiny process under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Honours and Awards system; and

(c) in accordance with paragraph 2.10(b) “Internal discussion and advice”, paragraph 2.14 “Third party information” and paragraph 2.16 “Business affairs” of the Code, we did not provide the other applicant with information in relation to the marks scored by individual tenderers and tender prices offered by unsuccessful tenderers for the tender of property and facility management services.

During the period from October 2018 to September 2019, among the requests for information under the Code received by Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary, no request was refused.

Session 6 CSO - Page 183

During the period from 2015 to September 2019, we received a total of 3 applications for review, and none of them was provided with any further information after review. The review decisions were all made by officers at the directorate level.

During the period from 2016 to September 2019, the numbers of requests for which the information requested was provided within 10 days, 11 to 21 days and 22 to 51 days from date of receipt of a written request were 55, 24 and 15 respectively. Separately, within 10 days and 11 to 21 days, the number of requests for which the information requested could not be provided as we had to transfer such requests to another department were 6 and 3 respectively. During the same periods, the number of requests for which provision of information to the applicants were refused under the exemption provisions in Part 2 of the Code were 2 and 1 respectively. Within 11 to 21 days, there were 2 requests for which part of the information requested could not be provided to the applicants in accordance with paragraph 2.14 “Third party information” of the Code.

During the period from 2016 to September 2019, the main reasons for not providing information requested within 21 days from date of receipt of the requests were that longer time was required to prepare information which was complex and/or opinions from various parties were involved.

During the period from 2016 to September 2019, there was no case where the information could not be provided within 51 days from date of receipt of a request.

During the period from 2016 to September 2019, we did not consult the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on cases where requests for information were refused under the exemption provisions in Part 2 of the Code.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 184

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO059 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6413)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Given that the Government’s public spending has surged in the past decade, it was mentioned repeatedly in the Budget that we have to invest in the future and provide for future needs, but there was no mention of issues concerning ageing population and low fertility rate. Will the Government please explain whether corresponding strategies have been drawn up with the recurrent expenditure earmarked for measures to be introduced later? 1. Will the Government account for the current fertility rate in Hong Kong? Is the rate level far below the replacement level of a normal population? What should be a healthy fertility rate? Is this the main reason for the rapidly ageing population in Hong Kong? Will the Government formulate any policies to encourage parenthood? 2. Has the Government studied welfare allowances such as maternity allowances, milk powder subsidy, etc. as an array of regular welfare measures for groups under 18 to encourage parenthood? If so, please account for the welfare projects that have been studied and the recurrent expenditure involved. 3. Will the Government further implement the above measures? If so, please provide the timetable; if not, what are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 373) Reply:

According to information from the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong’s total fertility rate has been lower than the replacement level of 2.1 for more than 3 decades and has remained between 0.9 and 1.3 since mid-1990s. Hong Kong’s total fertility rate is 1.05 in 2019, which is lower than the replacement level of 2.1. Longer life expectancy and a declining birth rate have led to rapid ageing of our population.

The Government has been paying close attention to the population ageing issue and has been studying and putting in place different measures to tackle the situation. In terms of

Session 6 CSO - Page 185 childbearing, as in other Asian developed economies such as Singapore, South Korea, etc., a decreasing marriage rate, as well as delayed marriage and childbearing are the main contributing factors of our low fertility rate. As these factors are essentially a matter of personal choice and lifestyle preference, and childbearing after all is a major family decision, excessive government intervention may not be appropriate.

Experiences from other places show that financial incentive alone may not be able to increase the desire for childbearing effectively. Government policies should aim at fostering a supportive environment for childbearing and providing better support for couples who wish to have children. In this connection, the Government has formulated a number of family- friendly measures in recent years, including:

(a) Supporting parents to raise children: increasing child allowance under salaries tax from $70,000 for the year of assessment 2014/15 to $120,000 for the year of assessment 2018/19, representing an increase of over 70%; launching the kindergarten education scheme in the 2017/18 school year; moreover, the Chief Executive has announced in the 2019 Policy Address that all payment rates of the Working Family Allowance would be raised consequential to the improvement measures of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, of which the Child Allowance would be raised substantially by 40%, and the $2,500 student grant would be regularised from the 2020/21 school year onwards.

(b) Enhancing child care service: providing in phases a total of about 400 additional aided standalone child care centre places in North District, Kwun Tong, Kwai Tsing, Sha Tin and Yuen Long starting from 2019-20; increasing the level of subsidy for child care centre service and enhancing the manning ratio for qualified child care workers serving in day child care centres. Also, the Chief Executive announced in the 2019 Policy Address various enhancement measures to strengthen the after school care programme, including addition of 2 500 full fee-waiving places, relaxation of application eligibility, and increase of subsidy level, etc.

(c) Supporting parents to take care of newborn babies: implementing the five-day statutory paternity leave since 18 January 2019, and introducing the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2019 to propose to increase the statutory maternity leave to 14 weeks. The Bill is pending scrutiny by the Legislative Council. To set an example of a good employer, the Government has extended the maternity leave for all female employees of the Government to 14 weeks with effect from the date of the 2018 Policy Address (i.e. 10 October 2018), so as to allow them more time to spend with and take care of their newborn babies.

All these measures could foster a supportive environment for childbearing, which helps our citizens to realise their aspirations to have children.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 186

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO060 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5466)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: How many archival records have been inventoried as stock by the Government Records Service (GRS) but not yet been included in the index of holdings (i.e. the online catalogue) and made available for public inspection? If there are such records, please set out in table form the departments keeping the records before transfer to the GRS; year of transfer to the GRS; category of the records (administrative/programme records); subject/title of the records; covering years of the records; quantity (number and linear metre); and reason for not including in the online catalogue.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1377) Reply:

Similar to the practice of other overseas archives, the Government Records Service (GRS) needs to carry out accession and description work for the archival records transferred from bureaux/departments (B/Ds) for permanent retention before they can be incorporated into GRS’ inventory and be included in the index of holdings. Making reference to the practices of other overseas archives and taking into account the views of B/Ds, GRS does not make public in the online catalogue the information on archival records which contain personal data, those which have been closed for less than 30 years with sensitive content (such as content involving security and external affairs), and those which have been closed for more than 30 years but are considered by B/Ds concernedto be not yet ready for opening after review. Nevertheless, every year, GRS will request B/Ds to review archival records which are approaching the 30-year closure period so that the relevant records can be made available for public inspection upon the expiry of the closure period. In case B/Ds consider that individual records require a longer closure period after review, they must review these records again at least once every 5 years. As and when the records concerned are opened, GRS will immediately arrange for the relevant information to be uploaded onto the online catalogue.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 187

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO061 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5467)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide the following details of each of the meetings with, visits to or exchanges with the relevant Mainland authorities by the Administration Wing in the past year in chronological order: (a) purpose and place; (b) post titles of the local officials met; (c) number and post titles of Hong Kong officials in entourage; (d) number of days of the visit; (e) total expenditure incurred; (f) whether any announcement was made prior to the trip; if not, the reasons for confidentiality; (g) whether minutes of meetings were kept on file; if not, the reasons; and (h) whether any agreement was reached; if yes, the details and implementation progress of the agreement; (i) transportation expenses (air tickets and local transportation); (ii) accommodation expenses; (iii) meals expenses; (iv) banquets or entertainment expenses; and (v) gifts expenses.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1378) Reply:

Session 6 CSO - Page 188

Relevant information on the duty visits made by officials of the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary to the Mainland in the past year is set out in the table below –

Date of Places of Number Purposes of visit Hotel Passage Other Total visit* visit of accommodation expenses# expenses@ expenditure officials^ expenses (Number of visits) From 1 Beijing, 1 to 6 To attend forums, About About About About March Foshan, per trip conferences, HK$58,000 HK$81,000 HK$53,000 HK$192,000 2019 to Guangzhou, meetings and 29 Shenzhen ceremonies; to February pay visits and 2020 attend events for exchange of (13) views, experience sharing, and better liaison and relationship

Remarks:

* Each duty visit lasted from half a day to 4 days. ^ Comprising officials at different ranks and led by a senior official or directorate officer. # Including charges for all cross-boundary transport (e.g. air tickets / ferry tickets / train tickets). @ Including charges for local transport, subsistence allowance for duty outside Hong Kong and sundry expenses (if applicable).

No expense was incurred for official entertainment during the above duty visits.

We liaise with the relevant Mainland authorities on issues of mutual concern from time to time as and when necessary. Generally speaking, records are made as appropriate having regard to the different circumstances and factors such as the nature of meetings and subject matters, consensus reached on arrangement (if any) and development of the matters concerned. We will decide whether and how the trips and their achievements should be made public in light of circumstances and needs.

In line with the Government’s green policy, public officers will as far as possible refrain from bestowing gifts or souvenirs to others during the conduct of official activities. According to the existing guidelines, where bestowal of gifts or souvenirs is necessary or unavoidable due to operational, protocol or other reasons, such items should not be extravagant and the number should be kept to a minimum, and the exchange should only be made from organisation to organisation. We do not maintain separate accounts for the expenses on the procurement of gifts and souvenirs.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 189

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO062 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5469)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide the numbers of visits made by Justices of the Peace (JPs) to individual penal facilities in the past 5 years and the relevant expenditures; the numbers of complaints received by JPs during their visits to individual penal facilities and the proportion of substantiated complaints; and the details of the relevant arrangements for their visits.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1380) Reply:

One of the important functions of JP visits to correctional institutions is to ensure that complaints lodged by persons in custody are handled in a fair and transparent manner. The visiting JPs may either conduct investigations themselves by making personal inquiries into complaints made by persons in custody (such as seeking background information from staff of the institutions and examining relevant records and documents), or refer the cases to the institutions concerned, the management of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), the Complaints Investigation Unit (CIU) of CSD, the Office of The Ombudsman or the Police for their follow-up actions, having regard to the nature and severity of the complaints. Upon receipt of the referrals, the parties concerned will investigate into the complaints. On completion of the investigation, the result will be reported to the JPs. JPs are at liberty to conduct any further investigation or re-visit the institution in question as they consider necessary. The number of JP visits to individual penal facilities and the number of complaints received during these visits in the past 5 years are set out at Annex A and Annex B respectively.

The majority of complaints received by JPs during visits to correctional institutions were related to medical care, facilities, environment, services, treatment, staff attitude and conduct, and other government departments. All these complaint cases were followed up as appropriate. Taking the total number of 187 complaints received in 2018 as an example, about 34% (64) were accepted and directed by the JPs that no further action be taken for such reasons as incoherent nature of the complaints, lack of solid information for further

Session 6 CSO - Page 190 investigation, or the JPs being satisfied that the complaints had already been addressed or dealt with by the institutions before the JP visits; about 4% (8) were referred to the Police or other government departments for handling; and 25% (47) were followed up and resolved by institution management. Separately, about 35% (65 cases) were referred to the CIU of CSD for investigation of which 27 cases were referred by CIU to institution management for follow-up and fully resolved by the latter eventually. As for the 38 complaints investigated by CIU, 10 were found unsubstantiated or curtailed after investigation. The other 28 cases could not be followed up further as the complainants in 16 cases decided to withdraw their complaints, those in 6 cases indicated that they had no complaint to lodge during the interview, and those in the remaining 6 cases declined to provide any information on the allegations. The remaining about 2% (3) of complaints were raised by the same person in custody who could not provide the required information for further investigation. The JPs concerned directed that continuous treatment be provided to the person in custody and no further follow-up action was required. The JPs and the complainants were duly informed of the investigation results of the above cases. The JPs were satisfied with the results and did not direct any further action to be taken. Neither did the complainants pursue the cases further or lodge any appeal.

The departmental costs involved mainly travelling expenses incurred by JP visits. If visits are jointly conducted by Official JPs and Non-official JPs, transport is generally arranged by the former using the respective departmental resources and breakdown of travelling expenses involved is not available. If departmental transport is not available, the JPs Secretariat will hire commercial vehicles or pool cars of the Government Logistics Department (GLD) for the purpose. Expenses incurred for hiring commercial vehicles or GLD vehicles in the past 5 years are set out below:

Year Expenses incurred for hiring commercial vehicles and pool cars arranged by GLD ($ million) 2015 0.67 2016 0.83 2017 0.89 2018 0.94 2019 0.85

Session 6 CSO - Page 191

Annex A Numbers of JP Visits to Individual Penal Facilities in the Past 5 Years

Institution 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 Cape Collinson Correctional Institution 12 12 12 12 12 2 Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre1 12 24 24 Custodial Ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Lai 3 24 24 12 Chi Kok Reception Centre1 Custodial Ward of Queen Mary Hospital and Ma 4 1 Hang Prison2 5 Custodial Ward of Queen Mary Hospital2 3 Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Hei 6 22 Ling Chau Correctional Institution3 Lai Sun Correctional Institution and Nei Kwu 7 22 Correctional Institution3 Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Lai 8 22 22 24 214 Sun Correctional Institution3 Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution and Nei Kwu 9 22 22 23 22 Correctional Institution3 Lai King Correctional Institution and Chi Lan 10 24 24 12 Rehabilitation Centre1 Lai King Correctional Institution, Chi Lan 11 Rehabilitation Centre and Custodial Ward of Queen 12 24 24 Elizabeth Hospital1 12 Lo Wu Correctional Institution 24 24 24 23 24 13 Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution2 24 23 24 10 Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution and Custodial 14 14 24 Ward of Queen Mary Hospital2 Phoenix House, Pelican House and Lai Hang 15 12 12 12 12 12 Rehabilitation Centre 16 Pik Uk Correctional Institution 24 24 24 24 23 17 Pik Uk Prison 24 24 24 23 24 Sha Tsui Correctional Institution and Lai Chi 18 23 23 24 24 24 Rehabilitation Centre 19 Shek Pik Prison 23 24 24 24 23 20 Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre 24 24 23 24 24 21 Stanley Prison 24 24 24 24 23 Tai Lam Centre for Women, Bauhinia House, and 22 25 24 24 24 24 Wai Lan Rehabilitation Centre 23 Tai Lam Correctional Institution 24 24 24 24 23 24 Tong Fuk Correctional Institution 24 24 24 23 24 25 Tung Tau Correctional Institution 24 24 24 24 24 26 Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution2 4 Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution and Custodial 27 20 24 23 10 Ward of Queen Mary Hospital2 Total: 431 426 426 414 399

1 Custodial Ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre were jointly visited by JPs in the past. Since 1 July 2017, Custodial Ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lai King Correctional Institution and Chi Lan Rehabilitation Centre have been jointly visited by JPs, while Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre has since been visited by JPs on its own. 2 Custodial Ward of Queen Mary Hospital and Ma Hang Prison were jointly visited by JPs in the past, but Ma Hang Prison was closed in late January 2015. Custodial Ward of Queen Mary Hospital and Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution were jointly visited by JPs between March 2015 and May 2018 but Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution was closed in early June 2018. From June 2018 onwards, Custodial Ward of Queen Mary Hospital has been jointly visited with Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution by JPs. 3 Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution were jointly visited by JPs in the past. Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Lai Sun Correctional Institution have been jointly visited by JPs since 4 January 2016. Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution and Nei Kwu Correctional Institution have also been jointly visited since that day. 4 In view of the inclement weather, the Government Flying Service suspended its helicopter services, which affected 3 JP visits.

Session 6 CSO - Page 192

Annex B

Numbers of Complaints Received during JP Visits to Individual Penal Facilities in the Past 5 Years

Institution 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 Custodial Ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 - - - 1 2 Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution - - 1 5 1 3 Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre - - 1 - - 4 Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre 10 21 11 2 4 5 Lo Wu Correctional Institution 14 13 31 4 6 6 Nei Kwu Correctional Institution - 1 2 2 - 7 Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution 2 1 - - - 8 Pik Uk Correctional Institution - - - 2 - 9 Pik Uk Prison - 2 - 2 - 10 Shek Pik Prison 2 13 15 26 11 11 Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre 39 58 72 14 9 12 Stanley Prison 47 44 52 115 115 13 Tai Lam Centre for Women - - 13 4 2 14 Tai Lam Correctional Institution - 3 5 - 5 15 Tong Fuk Correctional Institution - - 1 4 1 16 Tung Tau Correctional Institution - 6 5 7 - Total: 115 162 209 187 155

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Session 6 CSO - Page 193

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO063 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6820)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please set out the monthly salaries, allowances and other expenses of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary in the past 5 years, the monthly pension they will receive on retirement and the total expenditure on their pension.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1311) Reply:

1. The expenditure on the monthly salary and non-accountable entertainment allowance for the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) for the past 5 years is set out below:

Date Monthly salary Monthly expenditure on expenditure# non-accountable entertainment allowance* (rounded down to the nearest whole number) April 2015 – March 2016 $36,300 April 2016 – March 2017 $330,565 $37,391 April 2017 – June 2017 $38,291 July 2017 – March 2018 $370,200 April 2018 – June 2018 $38,866 July 2018 – March 2019 $377,250 April 2019 – June 2019 $39,800 July 2019 – March 2020 $385,950

Session 6 CSO - Page 194

# As approved by the Finance Committee (FC) of the Legislative Council (LegCo) on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration for politically-appointed officials (PAOs) will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual Consumer Price Index (C) (CPI(C)). * Apart from the non-accountable entertainment allowance (tied to official residence) which is adjusted for inflation every year, CS does not receive other allowances.

2. The expenditure on the monthly salary and non-accountable entertainment allowance for the Financial Secretary (FS) for the past 5 years is set out below:

Date Monthly salary Monthly expenditure on expenditure# non-accountable entertainment allowance* (rounded down to the nearest whole number) April 2015 – March 2016 $27,825 April 2016 – March 2017 $319,385 $28,658 April 2017 – June 2017 $29,350 July 2017 – March 2018 $357,700 April 2018 – June 2018 $29,791 July 2018 – March 2019 $364,500 April 2019 – June 2019 $30,508 July 2019 – March 2020 $372,900

# As approved by FC of LegCo on 10 February 2017, the cash remuneration for PAOs will be adjusted on 1 July every year in accordance with the change in the average annual CPI(C). * Apart from the non-accountable entertainment allowance (tied to official residence) which is adjusted for inflation every year, FS does not receive other allowances.

According to the remuneration package for PAOs of the SAR Government, CS, FS and all other PAOs are not entitled to pension benefits/contract gratuity except for the Government’s contribution to the Mandatory Provident Fund.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 195

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO064 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4508)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please reply to this Committee in tabular form: the respective quantities of (a) CSI masks; (b) N95 masks; (c) protective coveralls; and (d) bleach allocated to the official residence of the Financial Secretary in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 (from January to the present). Please reply to this Committee in tabular form: the respective quantities of (a) CSI masks; (b) N95 masks; (c) protective coveralls; and (d) bleach allocated to the official residence of the Chief Secretary in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 (from January to the present).

Asked by: Hon KWOK Ka-ki (LegCo internal reference no.: 78) Reply:

Arising from the rapid developments of the epidemic situation, the demand for protective items by government departments will change according to the requirements for anti- epidemic work. The Government Logistics Department (GLD) and different government departments are making their best efforts to procure through various channels and means, and will continue to review the stock of and demand for protective items.

With an upsurge in the global demand for protective items, the Government is facing keen competition in its procurement. The Government considers it inappropriate at this stage to disclose further information about the consumption of protective items in individual departments in the past few years and recent months so as not to undermine the bargaining power of the GLD and departments concerned in procuring the protective items.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 196

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO065 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5114)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: What is the expenditure on engaging dedicated personnel to manage and maintain the Secretaries’ personal social media platforms, including Facebook fan page, Instagram and website? a. What were the number of staff responsible for maintaining the Secretaries’ social media platforms and the expenditure on each of the staff members (in terms of annual salary) in the past 3 years? b. Were outside companies engaged to assist in maintaining the social media platforms in the past 3 years? If yes, what were the expenditure and companies involved? c. What were the number of advertisements posted on social media and the annual expenditure on such advertisements in the past year?

Asked by: Hon KWOK Ka-ki (LegCo internal reference no.: 1154) Reply:

In October 2017, the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office (CSO) set up a Facebook account which is managed by existing staff of CSO with no additional resources involved. No advertisements have been procured for CSO’s Facebook account.

The Financial Secretary has been strengthening communication with members of the public through his Facebook account since February 2018. Besides, in December 2018, the Financial Secretary’s Office (FSO) set up a Facebook Page for the Budget which is managed by existing staff of FSO with no additional resources involved. No advertisements have been procured for FSO’s Facebook account and Facebook Page.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 197

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO066 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6123)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please tabulate the research and promotional projects relating to ethnic minorities and /or non- Chinese speaking students approved by the Central Policy Unit (CPU) from 2014 to 2019 with the following details: A. name of institution(s) and/or consultancy;

B. title of research project

C. objective and content

D. manpower and expenses involved

E. start date

F. progress of research (under planning/ in progress/ completed date)

G. Administration’s follow-up to the research report and the progress

H. for completed research, has the executive summary/full report been made publicly available; if yes, through which channels; if no, explain why.

Asked by: Hon KWOK Wing-hang, Dennis (LegCo internal reference no.: 48) Reply:

In the 6 financial years from 2014-15 to 2019-20, the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme, administered by the former Central Policy Unit and the Policy Innovation and Co- ordination Office (PICO), approved a total of 3 research projects relating to ethnic minority students and/or non-Chinese speaking students. The details are provided below:

Session 6 CSO - Page 198

No. Date of Institution/ Project title Fund Commencement Completion approval Think awarded date of research date of tank (HK$) research 1 2016-17 The Knowledge and 200,000 6/2/2017 5/8/2017 Chinese Perceptions University towards Gender- of Hong Based Violence of Kong Minority Girls in Hong Kong 2 2017-18 The Opening Doors, 400,000 11/12/2017 In progress University Creating Pathways of Hong - A Qualitative Kong Study of Social Harms and Service Access of Young People from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds in Hong Kong 3 2019-20 The Education as Soft 495,559 1/6/2019 In progress Chinese Power: Hong University Kong-trained of Hong Non-local Kong University Students’ Connections and Their Career Plan in Hong Kong

Upon completion of the research projects funded by PICO, the research reports which are rated “satisfactory” by the Assessment Panel will be uploaded onto PICO’s website for public reference. At present, 108 research reports of the PPR Funding Scheme have been uploaded onto PICO’s website.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 199

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO067 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3691)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding Duty lawyer Service and legal aid service, members of the public can participate in the Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) at evening centres at 9 District Offices. They can also obtain free legal advice without means testing. In this connection, will the Government inform this Committee:

1. whether the Government will provide more resources to shorten the long waiting time for an appointment under FLAS, as reflected by members of the public; 2. whether the Government issues any guidelines on FLAS for members of the public and duty lawyers; 3. whether there is any avenue for redress or complaint if members of the public are dissatisfied with the lawyers under FLAS.

Asked by: Hon LEUNG Mei-fun, Priscilla (LegCo internal reference no.: 73) Reply:

The Duty Lawyer Service (DLS) has, inter alia, redeployed internal resources and implemented vigorous enforcement measures for preventing abuse of the appointment service since the end of 2018. As a result, the average waiting time for an appointment at 9 District Offices under the Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS), i.e. the time between the submission of an application and the arrangement for an advice session, has been reduced from 43.5 days in 2018 to 26.6 days in 2019, representing a reduction of 38.9%.

Publicity information in relation to FLAS is available at the relevant court registries and offices, non-governmental organisations and on the internet. In addition, DLS will continue to liaise with the 2 legal professional bodies to encourage more volunteer lawyers to participate in FLAS. All applicants being arranged for an interview with the volunteer

Session 6 CSO - Page 200 lawyers will be given 1 simple guide named “Free Legal Advice Service”, in which the mode of operation and interview arrangement of the service are explained. All volunteer lawyers will also be provided with 1 copy of “Free Legal Advice Scheme Manual”, which sets out the interview procedure and guidelines on giving consultation.

In case of any dissatisfaction or complaint about the free legal advice service, members of the public can lodge a complaint in writing to DLS or reflect directly to the District Office staff arranging the interview. DLS will take appropriate follow-up action upon receipt of the complaint.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO068 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4410)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (5) Subvention: Duty Lawyer Service and Legal Aid Services Council

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) at Legal Advice Centres of District Offices provides preliminary legal advice to members of the public as to their legal position in genuine cases. a. Please tabulate the numbers of requests for assistance under FLAS in the past 3 years: Name of District Number of Number of Number of Average Office requests for requests cases provided waiting time assistance declined with service b. Please provide information on the cost and manpower involved in FLAS. c. Does the department have any plans to expand FLAS? If yes, what is the timetable? If not, what are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon MO Claudia (LegCo internal reference no.: 82) Reply:

The Government provides the Duty Lawyer Service (DLS) with subvention to implement the Free Legal Advice Scheme (FLAS) at 9 District Offices (DOs) of the Home Affairs Department.

Session 6 CSO - Page 202 a. The breakdown by DO of requests for assistance under FLAS in the past 3 years is tabulated below: District Office Number of requests for assistance 2017 2018 2019 Central and Western 733 749 724 Eastern 773 782 733 Islands 779 775 767 Kwun Tong 728 759 750 Shatin 489 509 508 Tsuen Wan 1 007 1 025 1 039 Wan Chai 2 481 2 551 2 535 Wong Tai Sin 517 507 505 Yau Tsim Mong 741 787 766 Total 8 248 8 444 8 327

The breakdown by DO of cases declined under FLAS in the past 3 years is tabulated below: District Office Number of cases declined 2017 2018 2019 Central and Western 1 0 4 Eastern 2 2 5 Islands 4 2 3 Kwun Tong 4 0 5 Shatin 3 0 1 Tsuen Wan 4 3 1 Wan Chai 9 3 11 Wong Tai Sin 2 0 0 Yau Tsim Mong 0 1 0 Total 29 11 30

The breakdown by DO of cases handled under FLAS in the past 3 years is tabulated below: District Office Number of cases handled 2017 2018 2019 Central and Western 577 617 637 Eastern 583 645 656 Islands 617 640 682 Kwun Tong 589 671 655 Shatin 366 379 409 Tsuen Wan 747 826 878 Wan Chai 1 931 2 109 2 230 Wong Tai Sin 409 433 457 Yau Tsim Mong 578 633 652 Total 6 397 6 953 7 256 【Note: The number of requests for assistance includes not only the number of cases handled or declined by DLS, but also cases withdrawn by the applicants and cases with

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appointment time changed upon applicants’ requests. This number is therefore higher than the sum of cases handled and declined in the subsequent tables.】 In 2019, the average waiting time between the submission of an application and the arrangement for an advice session was 26.6 days, which was 38.9% shorter than that in 2018 (43.5 days). The waiting times at DOs for the past 3 years are as follows: District Office Average waiting time (day) 2017 2018 2019 Central and Western 52.2 36.2 20.4 Eastern 49.0 34.3 17.4 Islands 50.1 35.1 18.4 Kwun Tong 57.1 41.7 24.9 Shatin 76.7 61.4 42.9 Tsuen Wan 64.5 49.4 31.5 Wan Chai 51.6 36.6 20.0 Wong Tai Sin 56.7 48.5 27.9 Yau Tsim Mong 61.8 48.2 36.0 b. DLS has a total of 3 staff members responsible for providing administrative support for FLAS. The expenditure of FLAS in 2019 was $1.6 million. c. The Council of DLS consists of members nominated by the 2 legal professional bodies. DLS will continue to liaise with these 2 legal professional bodies to encourage more volunteer lawyers to participate in FLAS. DLS will also continue to closely monitor the implementation of FLAS and, where necessary, review and consider adjustments.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 204

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO069 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4439)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: It was mentioned in the 2018-19 Budget that in order to enhance collaboration within the Government on support for the ethnic minorities (EMs), the Chief Secretary for Administration would set up a steering committee to co-ordinate, review and monitor work in this area, and a sum of $500 million would be earmarked to strengthen support for ethnic minorities. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau would provide secretariat support for the steering committee. In this connection, would the Government advise this Committee of the following:

1. What are the latest work plans and follow-up actions of the steering committee? Is there any work schedule? If yes, what are the details? If no, what are the reason(s)? 2. How the sum of $500 million was used? Please provide details of the estimates for various support measures and the expenditures spent so far. 3. How many meetings have been held by the steering committee so far? Does the steering committee regularly meet with individuals and groups to discuss views on the support for the EMs? If so, what are the details and what individuals and groups were involved? Will it undertake to conduct public engagement and report its work progress to this Committee on a regular basis? 4. Will the Government consider establishing an inter-departmental work agency to continue to co-ordinate policy initiatives for rendering support to the EMs? If yes, what are the details? If no, what are the reason(s)?

Asked by: Hon MO Claudia (LegCo internal reference no.: 111) Reply:

Since its establishment, the Steering Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (the Steering Committee), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, has held 3 meetings. In addition, the Chairman and officials of relevant bureaux convened working meetings and focus groups with ethnic minority organisations, service providers and stakeholders from time to time. The Steering Committee had met with close to 70 such organisations thus far. The

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Chief Secretary for Administration also personally chaired the 2018 and 2019 Policy Address consultation sessions to gauge the views of ethnic minority stakeholders on improvement of the existing support network for ethnic minorities. The Steering Committee will continue to maintain dialogue with these organisations on issues relevant to ethnic minorities and the work of the Steering Committee.

In the 4 financial years from 2019-20 to 2022-23, the estimated expenditure on the 2 rounds of new measures mentioned above is set out as follows:

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Approximate Measures Amount ($ million) 7. Strengthen prevention and support service for ethnic minorities 6.8 against domestic and sexual violence 8. Provide additional subsidy for special child care centres and 26.3 early education and training centres with pre-school ethnic minority children with special needs admitted 9. Set up specialised ethnic minority units in 5 parents/relatives 21.6 resources centres for persons with disabilities Social Integration 10. Improve the “Administrative Guidelines on Promotion of 4.3 Racial Equality” for application to all Government bureaux and departments and related organisations providing services to ethnic minorities 11. Enhance interpretation and translation services in the CHEER 48.4 Centre and introduce new services in Vietnamese

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Approximate Measures Amount ($ million) Social Welfare 17. Launch an “Ethnic Minority District Ambassador” pilot 24.3 scheme to employ more ethnic minorities in SWD and subvented NGOs to enhance services for ethnic minorities provided by district centres/ service units Social Integration 18. Strengthen services of support service centres for ethnic 57.2 minorities and organise more district-based activities to encourage interaction and exchange between ethnic minorities and local communities 19. Strengthen engagement of ethnic minority children and youth 69.0 through outreaching to schools by the disciplined forces and Junior Police Call programmes 20. Provide more cultural sensitivity/equal opportunities training 2.3 for civil service new recruits and front-line staff

As the Steering Committee, supported by the Human Resources Planning and Poverty Co- ordination Unit under the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Private Office, has taken up the role of co-ordinating cross-bureau/ inter-departmental efforts on the support for ethnic minorities, the Government has no plan to establish a separate inter-departmental unit for such a role.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO070 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6060)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: a. Please set out the quantity, value and stock of surgical masks produced by the Correctional Services Department (CSI masks) that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the Government Logistics Department (GLD) each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of CSI masks Value of CSI masks Stock of CSI masks obtained obtained

b. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of surgical masks that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of surgical No. of surgical Stock Consumption masks obtained masks procured from GLD (value) (value)

c. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of N95 masks that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of N95 masks No. of N95 Stock Consumption obtained from masks procured GLD (value) (value)

Session 6 CSO - Page 209 d. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of gowns that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of gowns No. of gowns Stock Consumption obtained from procured (value) GLD (value)

e. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of protective coverall suits that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of protective No. of protective Stock Consumption coverall suits coverall suits obtained from procured (value) GLD (value)

f. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of face shields that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of face Value of face Stock of face Consumption shields procured shields procured shields

g. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of goggles that the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table: Month/Year No. of goggles Value of goggles Stock of Consumption procured procured goggles

h. Did the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary supply or sell surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, goggles, gowns and protective coverall suits to other organisations in the past 3 years? If yes, please provide the relevant information, including the quantity, consumption and stock, in the following table: Month/Year Name of Manner Surgical N95 Face Goggles Gowns Protective organisations of masks masks shields coverall provision suits (e.g. sold or supplied for free)

Session 6 CSO - Page 210 i. If the Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary are to supply or sell surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, goggles, gowns and protective coverall suits to other organisations, what are the departments and the ranks of the officers responsible for making such decisions? Please provide the ranks of the officers involved in each decision, the date they made the decision and other relevant information.

Asked by: Hon MO Claudia (LegCo internal reference no.: 149) Reply:

With an upsurge in the global demand for protective items, the Government is facing keen competition in its procurement. The Government considers it inappropriate at this stage to disclose further information about the stock levels, quantities procured and amounts paid, and consumption of the protective items in individual departments in the past few years and recent months so as not to undermine the bargaining power of the GLD and departments concerned in procuring the protective items.

The Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary have not supplied or sold any protective items to any organisations.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO071 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3616)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the enhancement of records management work in the Government, including strengthening records management training for newly-recruited government officers; the promotion of electronic records management in the Government and the provision of support and assistance to bureaux and departments, please advise of the following:

(1) Please list in the table below information on training and advisory services that the Government Records Service (GRS) provided to Government bureaux and departments in 2019:

Year Bureau/ Number of Number of Number of Rank Number of Topic Department government topical staff who have distribution of staff who areas of (in records records taken staff (from have taken training alphabetical management management government high to low) government courses order) training training records who have records courses courses management taken management training government training courses records courses more management than once training courses 2018

(2) Please list in the table below information regarding the numbers of public requests for government records in 2019:

Year Number of requests Number of Number of failed Reasons for for government successful requests requests for failed requests records (percentage for government government for government change as records (percentage records (percentage records compared with change as change as 2018) compared with compared with 2018) 2018) 2019

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(3) Please list in the table below information on the transfer of records to the GRS for retention in 2019:

Year Number of Number and Number and linear Number of bureaux/departments linear metres of metres of records electronic records that have transferred records retained approved for retained through records for retention (percentage destruction the electronic (percentage change change as (percentage change recordkeeping as compared with compared with as compared with system (please 2018) 2018) 2018) list by department) 2019

(4) What are the details of the additional establishment for the GRS in 2020-21?

Asked by: Hon MOK Charles Peter (LegCo internal reference no.: 133) Reply:

(1) The information on training and advisory services which the Government Records Service (GRS) provide for government bureaux and departments (B/Ds) in 2019 is as follows:

B/Ds (in Number of Number of Number of Distribution of staff Topical areas of alphabetical training topical staff who by rank (in training courses order) courses on training have descending order ) government courses on received who have records records government participated in management management records training courses on management government records training management 73 B/Ds in 82 29 5 049 Directorate Pay Regular and topical total. Scale Point 1 training courses/ See Annex workshops/ Master Pay Scale seminars/briefings Point 49 to 1 (or organised for equivalent) departmental records managers, registry supervisors and records users covering the following topics:

Regular courses a. government records management overview b. classification and coding

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c. records creation and collection d. filing practices e. records scheduling and disposal f. management of administrative and programme records g. storage, custody, access control and tracking, and preservation h. introduction of electronic records management (ERM) and electronic recordkeeping system (ERKS)

Topical courses a. departmental records management policy b. mandatory records management requirements and good practices c. vital records protection d. prevention of loss and unauthorised destruction of records e. archival records management f. archives law g. measures for enhancing records management

GRS does not keep information on the number of staff who have participated in training courses on government records management for more than once.

Moreover, in response to the Government’s decision to rollout ERKS to all B/Ds by 2025, the GRS has been strengthening ERM training for government officers since 2019

Session 6 CSO - Page 214

and has organised 14 seminars on ERM in the same year attended by a total of 4 860 participants These ERM training courses included introduction of ERKS and preparation for ERKS implementation, ERKS implementation: review of records classification scheme, and basic training on ERKS. The ranks of staff receiving such training comprise Directorate Pay Scale Point 3 to 1 and Master Pay Scale Point 49 to 1 (or equivalent).

(2) Information on t requests for access to government records made by the public in 2019 is as follows:

Number of requests Number of successful Number of requests Reasons for being for access to requests for access to for access to unable to accede to government records government records government records the requests for made by the public (Note 2) which cannot be access to government (Note 1) acceded to records (percentage change as (Note 2) compared with 2018) 2 940 2 917 0 / (-1.31%)

(3) B/Ds should take into account the administrative, operational, fiscal and legal requirements as well as the archival values of the records when disposing government records. All requests for destruction of records should be processed in accordance with the requirements set out in the relevant records retention and disposal schedules (disposal schedules) approved by GRS.

Whether a record possesses archival value/potential archival value or not should have been determined when disposal schedules were drawn up. Time-expired records having no archival value should only be destroyed with GRS Director’s prior agreement. For records having potential archival value, they would be further appraised by GRS, and those appraised to have archival value will be transferred to GRS for permanent retention. GRS Director will only agree to destroy those which have been confirmed to have no archival value.

Information on records transferred to GRS for retention and those approved for destruction in 2019 is as follows:

Number of Records retained Records approved for Number of B/Ds which destruction (Note 4) electronic had transferred Number Linear metre Number Linear metre records kept their records to (percentage (percentage (’000) (percentage in the ERKS GRS for change as change as (percentage change as retained retention compared compared change as compared (please list by (percentage with 2018) with 2018) compared with 2018) department) change as with 2018) compared with 2018) 50 55 223 610 94 343 63 750 0 (+38.88%) (-32.72%) (+0.66%) (-5.71%) (+1.50%) (Note 5) (Note 3) (Note 3)

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(4) In 2020-21, 12 posts will be created in GRS for strengthening the services of the Public Records Office (PRO), digitising archival holdings, as well as the supporting and promotion work to assist B/Ds in implementing ERKS, etc. Details of the posts are as follows:

Rank and Number of Posts (i) For service provision of the PRO 1 Assistant Archivist 1 Assistant Clerical Officer 1 Clerical Assistant

(ii) For digitising holdings 1 Photographer I 2 Photographers II

(iii) For supporting and promotion work to assist B/Ds in implementing ERKS (time-limited posts) 1 Senior Executive Officer 5 Executive Officers I

Note

1. As at the end of February 2020, 16 requests made in 2019 were still being processed, 3 cases withdrawn by applicants, and 4 re-directed to B/Ds concerned for access to information through their regular services.

2. As some requests in 2019 are still under processing, we are unable to calculate the figures on the “percentage change as compared with 2018”.

3. The 2 record measurement units, “Linear metre” and “number”, are used in different stages of records management. “Linear metre” is used for the transfer of records and management of repositories, while “number” is used for accessioning and holdings management. Moreover, since thickness of each record varies, the number and the linear metre of records retained are not necessarily in proportion.

4. Routine records (mainly programme records) of 10 departments took up over 92% of the number of records (over 52% of linear metres). Such records include arrival and departure cards of the Immigration Department; computer printouts of tax-related systems of the Inland Revenue Department; import and export cargo manifests of the Census and Statistics Department and the Trade and Industry Department; licensing transaction records of the Transport Department; public files of companies registered under the Companies Ordinance of the Companies Registry; various types of general and departmental forms of the Hong Kong Police Force; records relating to fire service ambulance operations of the Fire Services Department; request forms for laboratory tests of the Department of Health; and counterfoils of Government Rent Demand Notes of the Lands Department.

5. To date, 11 B/Ds have implemented or are developing their ERKS. The electronic records kept in the ERKS of these B/Ds are not yet due for transfer to the GRS for permanent retention.

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Annex Training and Advisory Services provided by GRS in 2019 B/Ds involved (in alphabetical order) Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Architectural Services Department Audit Commission Auxiliary Medical Service Buildings Department Census and Statistics Department Chief Executive’s Office Chief Secretary for Administration's Office Civil Aid Service Civil Aviation Department Civil Engineering and Development Department Civil Service Bureau Commerce and Economic Development Bureau Companies Registry Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau Correctional Services Department Customs and Excise Department Department of Health Department of Justice Development Bureau Drainage Services Department Education Bureau Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Environment Bureau and Environmental Protection Department Financial Secretary’s Office Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau Fire Services Department Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Food and Health Bureau Government Flying Service Government Laboratory Government Logistics Department

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Government Property Agency Highways Department Home Affairs Bureau Home Affairs Department Hong Kong Monetary Authority Hong Kong Observatory Hong Kong Police Force Hongkong Post Housing Department Immigration Department Independent Commission Against Corruption Information Services Department Inland Revenue Department Innovation and Technology Bureau Intellectual Property Department Invest Hong Kong Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service Judiciary Labour and Welfare Bureau Labour Department Land Registry Lands Department Legal Aid Department Leisure and Cultural Services Department Marine Department Office of the Communications Authority Official Receiver’s Office Planning Department Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office Radio Television Hong Kong Rating and Valuation Department, Registration and Electoral Office Secretariat, Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Surveillance Security Bureau Social Welfare Department

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Trade and Industry Department Transport and Housing Bureau (Transport) Transport Department Treasury Water Supplies Department Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency

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Session 6 CSO - Page 219

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO072 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4024)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide the following information in table form: the titles, persons in charge, funding amounts, progress and descriptions of the research projects funded under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme in the past 3 years.

Asked by: Hon QUAT Elizabeth (LegCo internal reference no.: 106) Reply:

In the 3 financial years from 2017-18 to 2019-20, the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme provided a total funding of $45.42 million for 77 research projects and $34.29 million for 9 research projects respectively, of which 14 have been completed. The relevant research reports have been uploaded onto the website of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office. The details of the funded projects are at Annex.

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Annex

Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2017-18 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 1 2017-18 HKBU Dr KU Yee Investigating Hong 492,982 Completed First Lai, Kelly Kong Students’ Round Critical News Literacy in the Age of Social Media 2 2017-18 HKBU Prof Differential In- 825,125 In First LI Si Ming migration, Housing Progress Round Access and Spatial Segregation: Hong Kong since 1997 3 2017-18 Hong Kong Dr LI Hang From Ketamine to Ice: 422,464 Completed First Shue Yan Neutralisation Round University Techniques and Risk Perception of Adolescent Drug Abusers 4 2017-18 LU Prof Construction of 494,960 Completed First CUI Geng Mainland China - Round Hong Kong Economic Integration Index and Its Application to Facilitate Public Policy Research in Hong Kong 5 2017-18 CUHK Dr YUEN Maintaining Hong 481,491 In First Chi Lok, Kong Aviation-hub Progress Round Andrew Position Under the ASEAN - China Air Transport Agreement 6 2017-18 EdUHK Dr TO Wai Life Course Effects on 500,000 Completed First Chun, Clara Marital Stability: Round Experience of Remarried Mainland Chinese Migrant Women in Hong Kong 7 2017-18 PolyU Prof LI Heng Facilitating the 716,335 Completed First Diffusion of Building Round Information Modelling in the Hong Kong Construction Industry: A Network Perspective

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 8 2017-18 HKU Dr LIU Kang Exploring the 297,032 Completed First Huey, Helen Motivations, Incentive Round Designs, and Performance of Open Innovation in Hong Kong 9 2017-18 HKU Dr FU King Associations between 780,234 Completed First Wa Emerging Political Round Ideology, Political Participation and Social Media Use: Making Sense of the Connections between “Localism”, “Populism”, and “Post-materialism” in Hong Kong 10 2017-18 CityU Dr CHAN Enhancing the 304,750 Completed Second Lok Shun, Environmental Round Apple Effectiveness of Overall Thermal Transfer Value Regulation for Green Building Design in Hong Kong 11 2017-18 CUHK Prof Out-of-home 397,853 Completed Second HE Ying, Activities and Social Round Sylvia Exclusion among Hong Kong’s Aging Population: A Study of the Elderly’s Activity- travel Patterns and Its Implication on Well- being 12 2017-18 CityU Dr LIU Suk Demographic and 842,950 Completed Third Ching, Elaine Social Indicators of Round Youth Volunteering in Hong Kong 13 2017-18 LU Dr LAU Ka Relationship between 700,000 In Third Wai, Maggie Poverty and Progress Round Neurocognitive Skills

14 2017-18 CUHK Prof YEOH Investigating the 490,907 Completed Third Eng Kiong Preference, Attitude Round and Perception of Frail Older People on Consumer-directed Long-term Care in Hong Kong

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 15 2017-18 CUHK Prof HE Promoting e-mobility 530,725 In Third Ying, Sylvia in Hong Kong: Progress Round Institutional and Spatial Contexts, Public Acceptance, and the Location Choice of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities 16 2017-18 HKU Prof Karen Opening Doors, 400,000 In Third A. Joe Creating Pathways - A Progress Round LAIDLER Qualitative Study of Social Harms and Service Access of Young People from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds in Hong Kong 17 2017-18 HKU Dr LEE Financial Inclusion 295,550 In Third Hsiang Hui, and Bank Account Progress Round Emily Opening: Deploying Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology for Improving Banking Services Accessibility Inside Hong Kong’s Anti-Money Laundering Law 18 2017-18 CUHK Prof FUNG Tracking the Future: 345,000 Completed Fourth Ying Him, The Perception of Round Anthony Future and Aspirations of Hong Kong Youth 19 2017-18 EdUHK Prof Global Governance 957,766 In Fourth LUI Tai Lok Hub: A New Progress Round Dimension in Hong Kong’s Global City Strategy? 20 2017-18 PolyU Dr LUI Ching Family Policies, Social 764,750 Completed Fourth Wu, Lake Norms and Fertility Round Decisions: A Survey Experiment 21 2017-18 PolyU Prof Clear up Toxic Smog 498,410 Completed Fourth GUO Hai and Improve Air Round Quality in Hong Kong

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Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2018-19 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 1 2018-19 CityU Dr CHAN Investigating the 320,000 In First Lok Shun, Feasibility of Progress Round Apple Mandatory Implementation of Life Cycle Assessment on Renewable Energy Systems for Green Building Design in Hong Kong 2 2018-19 EdUHK Dr SZETO Career and Life 499,627 In First Sing Ying, Planning for Hong Progress Round Elson Kong Youth Development: Challenges and Opportunities 3 2018-19 PolyU Dr WEI The Possibility of 306,691 In First Minchen Reducing Illuminance Progress Round Level by Using LED Lighting Products with High Colour Rendering Index for Energy Reduction in Green Buildings 4 2018-19 PolyU Dr Mehmet Employing People 120,175 In First Ali with Disabilities in the Progress Round KOSEOGLU Hong Kong Hotel Industry: Perspectives of Employers 5 2018-19 PolyU Dr LEE Examining Cross- 320,049 In First Jinsoo national Destination Progress Round Image of Hong Kong with Big Data Analytics and Social and Cultural Distance 6 2018-19 HKU Dr TIAN Ambient Ozone 500,000 In First Linwei Levels in Hong Kong: Progress Round The Lower The Better? 7 2018-19 HKU Prof LOO Pui Re-establishing 810,049 In First Ying, Becky Ferry’s Key Position Progress Round in the Sustainable Transport System of Hong Kong

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 8 2018-19 HKBU Dr MAH Engaging the 632,500 In Second Ngar Yin, Community to Progress Round Daphne Develop a Model for Sustainable Energy Futures: A Case Study of Two Prospective Solar Communities in Hong Kong 9 2018-19 EdUHK Dr HE How to Increase the 1,086,951 In Second Jingwei, Alex Demand for Private Progress Round Long-term Care Insurance in Hong Kong? 10 2018-19 PolyU Dr YUNG An Analytical Study 380,944 In Second Hiu Kwan, on Preferences of the Progress Round Esther Elderly in Visiting Public Open Spaces 11 2018-19 PolyU Dr LIU Made in China 2025: 501,070 In Second Xihui, Sylvia The Challenges and Progress Round Opportunities of the Hong Kong Design Industry 12 2018-19 PolyU Prof SHEN Simulating the Impact 625,600 In Second Qiping, of Construction Progress Round Geoffrey Industrialization Policies on Its Update in Hong Kong: A Socio-technical System Perspective 13 2018-19 HKU Dr LOU Defining Sonhood: 607,582 In Second Weiqun, The Exploration of Progress Round Vivian Lived Experience of the Caregiving Sons in Their Late Adulthood in Hong Kong 14 2018-19 HKU Prof LAM Hong Kong Youths’ 880,918 In Second Tai Pong Attitudes towards Progress Round Suicide, Coping Strategies and Online Help-seeking 15 2018-19 EdUHK Prof SO Wing Challenges and 784,300 In Third Mui, Winnie Opportunities with Progress Round Hong Kong Students’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Aspirations

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 16 2018-19 PolyU Dr YU Tit Strategies and 605,015 In Third Wan, Ann Measures for Progress Round Construction and Demolition Waste Management of Refurbishing/Renovati ng Existing Buildings in Hong Kong 17 2018-19 PolyU Prof HUI Chi An Investigation of the 422,740 In Third Man, Eddie Price and Rental Progress Round Effects of “Green” Buildings in Hong Kong’s Housing Market and Its Implications for Policy 18 2018-19 PolyU Dr YU Lu Impact of Short-term 594,435 In Third Study in Mainland Progress Round China Programme on Hong Kong Local University Students’ Intercultural Competence, Perception and Attitude about Mainland China, and National Identity 19 2018-19 HKU Dr CHEN Promoting Science, 575,170 In Third Gaowei Technology, Progress Round Engineering, and Mathematics Education in Hong Kong: Using Analytics-supported E-learning to Enhance Student Attitudes and Achievement in Science 20 2018-19 CUHK Dr ZHENG Meso-institution as 550,000 In Fourth Wan Tai, Agent of Social Progress Round Victor Mobilization and Consensus Building: The Case of Tongxianghui

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 21 2018-19 CUHK Prof CHAN Are Cities in 399,044 In Fourth Chung Shing, Guangdong-Hong Progress Round Johnson Kong-Macao Bay Area Development Attractive to University Students in Hong Kong? From Perceived Image to Locational Decisions 22 2018-19 CUHK Dr HUI Lai A Study on the View 865,398 In Fourth Ling of Hong Kong Parents Progress Round on Secondary Use of Dried Blood Spots in Newborn Screening Program - Implications on Evidence-based Policies 23 2018-19 PolyU Dr Norman Investigating the 292,019 In Fourth AU Potential for Robotic Progress Round Technology Adoption in the Hong Kong Tourism Industry 24 2018-19 HKUST Prof WU Xun Trans-regional Air 631,966 In Fourth Pollution Control in Progress Round the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area: The Interplay between Science and Policy 25 2018-19 HKU Dr LU “Finding the Needles 447,350 In Fourth Weisheng, in a Haystack”: Progress Round Wilson Identification of the Illegal Dumping of Construction Waste Using Big Data

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Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 1 2019-20 CUHK Dr ZHENG Education as Soft 495,559 In First Wan Tai, Power: Hong Kong- Progress Round Victor trained Non-local University Students’ Connections and Their Career Plan in Hong Kong 2 2019-20 EdUHK Dr YUEN Investigating Space in 537,050 In First Wai Kwan, Kindergartens under Progress Round Gail the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme 3 2019-20 EdUHK Prof CHIU The Long March 741,761 In First Wing Kai, towards Progress Round Stephen Professionalization: Study of Chinese Medicine Practitioners’ Attitudes towards Professional Development in Hong Kong 4 2019-20 HKBU Prof LAU How Can the United 601,432 In First Wing Chung, Kingdom’s Elite Sport Progress Round Patrick Success Inspire Elite Sport Policy in Hong Kong: The Cases of Cycling, Swimming and Taekwondo 5 2019-20 HKU Dr RAN Understanding the 612,080 In First Maosheng Stigma in Promoting Progress Round Community Recovery and Integration for Persons with Mental Illness in Hong Kong 6 2019-20 HKU Prof John Stalking: Intimate 294,630 In First BACON Partner Violence and Progress Round SHONE Debt Collection Problems in Hong Kong 7 2019-20 CUHK Prof HO Sui Health Behaviour in 985,000 In Second Chu, Esther School-aged Children Progress Round Study in Hong Kong: Assessing the Physical, Emotional and Social Well-being

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 8 2019-20 CUHK Prof Hong Kong’s 552,424 In Second SHEN Jianfa Logistics Industry Progress Round Development: Development Strategies in the New Spatial Context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area 9 2019-20 EdUHK Dr KING Well-being of Filipino 711,620 In Second Ronnel Domestic Workers in Progress Round Bornasal Hong Kong: A Public Policy Priority for the Future 10 2019-20 EdUHK Prof CHOU To Claim or Not to 898,610 In Second Kee Lee Claim: Towards a Progress Round Better Understanding of the Take-up Rates of Welfare Schemes Targeting Hong Kong Older Adults and the Stigma Attached to Them 11 2019-20 EdUHK Dr Lina Advancing Job-and 882,395 In Second VYAS Health-associated Progress Round Outcomes for Employees of Small and Medium Enterprises in Hong Kong: A Study on Workplace Supervisor Support with Smartphone-based and Capacity-building Interventions 12 2019-20 EdUHK Prof Hong Kong’s 835,130 In Second LUI Tai Lok Professional Sector Progress Round under Regionalization 13 2019-20 LU Dr LAU Ka Housing as an 868,278 In Second Wai, Maggie Intergenerational Progress Round Project-parental Resources, Parental Strategies and the Housing Opportunities of Young People in Hong Kong 14 2019-20 LU Dr IP Iam Privacy Challenges 268,870 In Second Chong and Big Data in Smart Progress Round City

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 15 2019-20 BU Prof CHUNG A Study of 573,637 In Third Pak Kwong Development of Progress Round Esports in Hong Kong 16 2019-20 CityU Dr CHAN Investigation on 333,118 In Third Lok Shun, Incorporating Progress Round Apple Adjacent Shading Effect into Overall Thermal Transfer Value Regulation for Energy-Efficient Building Design in Hong Kong 17 2019-20 CityU Dr KWOK Correlates of Family 600,000 In Third LAI Yuk Strengths in Hong Progress Round Ching, Sylvia Kong - Implication for Family Wellbeing Policy 18 2019-20 Civic Ms LAI Man Managing Vibrant 1,300,000 In Third Exchange Yin, Carine Streets: Street Progress Round Performance Policy in Hong Kong 19 2019-20 CUHK Prof Improving the 364,268 In Third HUANG Hui Effectiveness of Progress Round Cross-boundary Securities Law Enforcement Between Hong Kong and Mainland China 20 2019-20 EdUHK Dr WONG Decomposing 360,578 In Third Yee Hang, Between- and Within- Progress Round Mathew group Income Inequality in Hong Kong: Politics, Welfare, and Identity 21 2019-20 EdUHK Dr LEUNG Investigating the 995,026 In Third Chi Hung Effectiveness of an Progress Round Information Technology Entrepreneurship Training Program for Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong 22 2019-20 HKU Prof John The Contribution of 824,653 In Third BACON Minority Languages Progress Round SHONE and Dialects to Hong Kong’s Linguistic Landscape

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 23 2019-20 LU Dr JIANG Jin The Greater Bay Area 500,000 In Third and Career Progress Round Opportunity for Hong Kong Youth: Integrating Big Data Analysis and Survey Experiments 24 2019-20 PolyU Prof LAW Developing Hong 411,355 In Third Chun Hung, Kong’s Smart Tourism Progress Round Roberts 25 2019-20 BU Prof Complex Housing 653,200 In Fourth LI Si Ming Tenure and Progress Round Residential Relocation: the Case of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 26 2019-20 CityU Prof Richard Developing and 908,293 In Fourth Mark Testing a Behavioral Progress Round WALKER Theory of Performance Information Use for Hong Kong: Experimental Evidence on Cognitive Biases 27 2019-20 CUHK Dr LAU Teachers’ Concerns 399,625 In Fourth Wing Fat about STEM Progress Round Education: A Territory-wide Evaluation 28 2019-20 CUHK Prof Bryan Regulating Cross- 536,199 In Fourth Christopher border Data: A Public Progress Round MERCURIO Policy Framework for Hong Kong 29 2019-20 HKU Dr Tom Facilitating Everyday 699,962 In Fourth MCDONALD Cross-border Progress Round Monetary Transactions and the Potential of Digitization in the Greater Bay Area

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No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Investigator Amount Status the Tank ($) Funding 30 2019-20 PolyU Professor Solving Public 878,025 In Fourth LI Heng Housing Problem in Progress Round Hong Kong by Adopting Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) to Build the Transitional House in Brownfields 31 2019-20 PolyU Dr SUN Yi Effects of 497,030 In Fourth Environment-related Progress Round Experiences on Older Person’s Well-being in Hong Kong’s “Double Ageing” Context: A Person–environment Perspective

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2017-18 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of Think Tank Investigator Amount Status the ($) Funding 1 2017-18 HKUST Prof LO Hong Strategies for 3,500,000 In Kam Enhancing Progress Walkability in Hong Kong via Smart Policies

2 2017-18 HKU Prof Keiji Antimicrobial 3,500,000 In FUKUDA Resistance Policy Progress Framework in Big Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) 3 2017-18 HKU Prof In Search of New 3,500,000 In Anthony YEH Economic Progress Cooperation Models Between Hong Kong and the Big Bay Area

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2018-19 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of the Think Tank Investigator Amount Status Funding ($)

1 2018-19 CUHK Prof FONG Moving to and 3,706,000 In Wai Ching, Working in the progress Eric Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Among Hong Kong Residents: Intention, Experience and Settlement Outcomes 2 2018-19 HKUST Prof WU Xun Accelerating the 4,374,000 In Development of a progress Global Innovation and Technology Hub in the Guangdong- Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area: The Roles of Public Research Universities in Hong Kong 3 2018-19 HKU Dr Boosting 2,902,000 In LU Weisheng Construction Waste progress Material Sharing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

No. Approval Institution/ Principal Project Title/Content Funding Project Dates of the Think Tank Investigator Amount Status Funding ($)

1 2019-20 CUHK Prof Profiling Older 4,953,002 In Albert LEE Population’s Risks in the Progress Kwai Tsing Neighbourhood and Optimising the Service Operations at District Health Centres: Data- driven Service Model and Policy Design 2 2019-20 HKUST Prof QI Ye Developing a Green 3,732,716 In Finance Centre in Hong Progress Kong in the Context of Green Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area: Institutional Analysis and Policy Design 3 2019-20 HKU Dr PAN Wei Enhancing Modular 4,125,050 In Integrated Construction Progress (MiC) Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for Hong Kong Development

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO073 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4025)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: As mentioned in the Programme, the provision for 2020-21 is $47.3 million (38.3%) higher than the one for the last financial year. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in grant of funding under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and increased requirement for commissioned studies. What are the detailed justifications for such predictions and how will the increased provision be allocated? In addition, the Government also mentioned that there will be an increase of 2 posts this year. Please provide information on the post title, rank, estimated salary, job duty and area with respect to these 2 posts.

Asked by: Hon QUAT Elizabeth (LegCo internal reference no.: 107) Reply:

The estimated financial provision for the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) for 2020-21 is $47.3 million (38.3%) higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20. This is mainly due to the anticipated increase in grant of funding under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and increased requirement for commissioned studies. Within the provision, $27.3 million is earmarked for the special round of applications under the PPRFS launched in November 2019 to fund local research institutions and think tanks to conduct research studies on topics relating to the underlying causes of the social incidents that took place in the second half of 2019, as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to the deep-seated problems of society.

In 2020-21, PICO will create 1 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) post (Master Pay Scale (MPS) Point 45 - 49) and 1 Executive Officer I (EO I) post (MPS Point 28 - 33), and the total notional annual mid-point salary of these 2 posts is $2.3 million. The new CEO post is to replace a non-civil service contract position for which long-term service need has been established, and its main duty is to assist in administering the PPRFS and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, including the operational and administrative tasks of the 2 Schemes, inter alia, assessing and approving applications, disbursing funding, monitoring the accounts and progress of the funded projects, and providing support to the Assessment Panel responsible

Session 6 CSO - Page 236 for assessing and approving applications under the 2 Schemes. The new EO I post is to enhance support for the above-mentioned tasks in view of the increasing number of applications received under the 2 Schemes in recent years.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO074 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4026)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide the recruitment figures of the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office in the past 3 years, including the post titles, numbers of applicants and recruits. What are the numbers of non-ethnic Chinese applicants and how many of them are recruited?

Asked by: Hon QUAT Elizabeth (LegCo internal reference no.: 108) Reply:

During the period from July 2017 to March 2020, the Task Force on Reorganisation of the Central Policy Unit and the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office conducted a total of 6 recruitment exercises for 4 types of non-civil service contract positions, including Systems Analyst, Senior Policy and Project Co-ordination Officer, Policy and Project Co-ordination Officer, and General Clerk. A total of 3 651 applications were received in the 6 recruitment exercises, of which 22 applicants were offered employment. Regardless of ethnicity or nationality, all persons who are permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and meet the entry requirements set out in the recruitment advertisements of relevant positions may submit applications. As applicants or employees are not required to declare their ethnicities, we do not have the relevant information.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO075 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4027)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please provide information on details, progress and outcomes of the co-ordination work on major cross-bureau policies initiated by the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office, as well as the manpower and expenditure involved in the past 3 years.

Asked by: Hon QUAT Elizabeth (LegCo internal reference no.: 109) Reply:

Since its establishment in April 2018, the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) has, in addition to co-ordinating the 2018 and 2019 Policy Addresses, supported the Chief Executive by providing policy research and co-ordination support and identifying innovative solutions for major cross-bureaux policies.

Session 6 CSO - Page 239 legislative amendments; and completing the study on the provision of mobile payment services at petrol filling stations and providing research findings and suggestions to the Fire Services Department for its reference in handling related matters.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO076 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6838)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: What are the manpower and expenditure involved for the implementation of the Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council?

Asked by: Hon SHIU Ka-fai (LegCo internal reference no.: 56) Reply:

The Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme under the Anti-epidemic Fund does not fall within the scope of the Appropriation Bill nor the Estimates of Expenditure of the Government’s General Revenue Account. Nonetheless, the information sought is provided below:

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has been commissioned by the Government as the implementation agent of the Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme to render assistance in implementing the Scheme according to the Government’s requirements. HKTDC’s assistance includes setting up an online application platform to collect applications, putting in place an enquiry hotline and email, assisting in application vetting and publicity, etc.. In view of the scale and nature of the Scheme, HKTDC has hired consultants to assist in handling some of the tasks involved. The estimated cost is about $23 million. At the same time, HKTDC has been internally deploying existing manpower from relevant departments to provide support for the Scheme.

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO077 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4049)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: A special round of applications under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme was launched in November 2019. Please advise on the following: 1. the number of applications received in 2019; 2. the number of applications approved; 3. the reasons for not approving the grants; 4. the title and content of the research projects funded; and 5. whether additional manpower and expenditure were required for the processing of the applications. If yes, what were the details?

Asked by: Hon WONG Ting-kwong (LegCo internal reference no.: 50) Reply:

(1) In November 2019, the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) launched a special round of applications under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (special round), under which a total of 210 applications have been received.

(2) to (4) The assessment for the applications under the special round is at its final stage. Upon completion of the related procedures, PICO will start informing applicants of the approved projects and disburse funding. Hence, we cannot provide details of the approved projects at this stage. We will announce the application results after we have completed the assessment and approval procedures.

(5) In 2020-21, the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme Unit under PICO is expected to have 6 staff responsible for the administration of 2 research funding schemes, i.e. the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (including the special round) and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme. In addition, PICO has earmarked $27.3 million in the estimated financial provision for 2020-21 for meeting the estimated amount of grants to be approved under the special round. - End -

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Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO078 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4050)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: During 2020-21, the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office will continue to administer the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) (including the special round) and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS), and develop closer networks with the policy research community to promote evidence-based policy research. Please advise this Committee on the following:

1. What are the details of the studies funded under the PPRFS and the SPPRFS in the past year?

2. Regarding the “first-stop and one-stop” project consultation and coordination services for innovative projects, what are the details of the projects received in the past year?

3. Has any review been conducted on the effectiveness of the work in the past year? What are its benefits to the Government’s work on enhancing policy innovation?

Asked by: Hon WONG Ting-kwong (LegCo internal reference no.: 51) Reply:

(1) In the 2019-20 financial year, the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme awarded a total funding of $20.12 million to 31 research projects and $12.81 million to 3 research projects respectively. The details of the projects are at Annex.

(2) In 2019-20, the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) received a total of 10 requests for the provision of“first-stop and one-stop” project consultation and co- ordination services, including 3 completed projects, namely the Extension of the Queensway Subway from Three Pacific Place to a new development at Anton Street/Landale Street, Shing Wong Street Community Living Room and “Green

Session 6 CSO - Page 243

Cadogan” Community Edu-tainment Space. The details of the 10 projects are provided in the following table: Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 1 Extension of the Liaising with relevant departments and PICO has completed Queensway the MTR Corporation Limited to co- the study and Subway from ordinate and rationalise the design of referred the project Three Pacific barrier-free access facilities in the to the Development Place to a new development project. Bureau for follow- development at up action. Anton Street/Landale Street*

2 Shing Wong Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant After liaising with Street departments and the Urban Renewal relevant Community Authority (URA) to assist the proponent departments, PICO Living Room* in applying for a currently idle site in learnt that the Shing Wong Street, Central and Western subject site had been District on short term tenancy for identified for other community use. use. The URA has agreed to offer another site nearby to the proponent for short-term use. The URA will continue to follow up with the proponent. PICO has completed its co-ordination work.

3 “Green Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant After liaising with Cadogan” departments to assist the proponent in relevant Community applying for an idle stall at Cadogan departments, PICO Edu-tainment Street, Central and Western District on learnt that Space* short term tenancy for serving as a refuse construction works recycling station. The stall is located would be carried out near Cadogan Street Temporary Garden in at the subject site by the former Kennedy Town Vegetable government Wholesale Market and is currently idle. departments. Therefore, the application could not be processed and the proponent was informed of the reason. PICO has completed its co-ordination work.

Session 6 CSO - Page 244

Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 4 Redevelopment Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being of Sheng Kung departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. Hui Kei Oi redeveloping their existing facilities in Primary School Cheung Sha Wan to provide more social and Kei Oi welfare facilities. Church

5 OneSky Global Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being Centre for Early departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. Childhood setting up a child care centre in Sham Development Shui Po, providing the community with an early childhood learning centre, parenting skills workshops, and services on community participation projects.

6 Tin Shui Wai Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being Neighbour-Wood departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. applying for an abandoned fish pond farmland in Tin Shui Wai on short term tenancy for community farming and promotion of fishermen culture.

7 Tin Shui Wai Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being House of Stories departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. applying for a piece of land in Tin Shui Wai Park on short term tenancy as a community art space.

8 Chuen Lung Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being Photography departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. Centre setting up a community photography centre at the former Koon Man School in Chuen Lung Village on short term tenancy to promote community participation in photography arts activities.

9 Tai Po Life Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being Education Centre departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. setting up Tai Po Life Education Centre in the former Shing Ming School on short term tenancy to promote the concepts of life education and organic farming, etc.

Session 6 CSO - Page 245

Project Title Nature/Content of the Project and Progress Major Services Provided by PICO 10 Hong Kong Lego Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant The project is being Discovery Centre departments to assist the proponent in handled by PICO. building an indoor theme amusement park in Tsim Sha Tsui to bring a new tourist attraction to Hong Kong. * The co-ordination work provided by PICO for the relevant projects has been completed. If necessary, PICO may continue to provide consultation services for project proponents.

Apart from the 10 new projects above, PICO continued to handle 1 project received in 2018-19, namely the STEAM School by the Shaw Foundation, in 2019-20. PICO was responsible for liaising and co-ordinating with relevant departments to assist the Shaw Foundation in setting up in Clearwater Bay the first school in Hong Kong with science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) as its main direction of curriculum planning, with the aim of nurturing students interested in innovation and technology.

(3) Since its establishment in April 2018, PICO has, in addition to co-ordinating the 2018 and 2019 Policy Addresses, supported the Chief Executive by providing policy research and co-ordination support and identifying innovative solutions for major cross-bureaux policies.

In 2019-20, major cross-bureaux policies co-ordinated by PICO included: co-ordinating the package of 10 new livelihood initiatives announced by the Chief Executive on 14 January 2020; assisting the Food and Health Bureau by conducting research on the arrangements of advance directives and the relevant end-of-life care, meeting relevant policy bureaux, departments (B/Ds) and stakeholders to listen to their views, and formulating proposals for public consultation (the relevant public consultation was completed in 2019); completing the study on the application of autonomous vehicle technology in Hong Kong for reference by the Transport and Housing Bureau and the Transport Department in considering the necessary legislative amendments; and completing the study on the provision of mobile payment services at petrol filling stations and providing research findings and suggestions to the Fire Services Department for its reference in handling related matters.

Co-ordinating major cross-bureaux policies and promoting policy innovation is one of the major functions of PICO. The effectiveness of such work will be reflected in the provision of evidence-based research to the Chief Executive and the relevant B/Ds in order to better grasp the views of stakeholders and industries and identify innovative and feasible solutions.

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Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2019-20 Financial Year

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Session 6 CSO - Page 250

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO079 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4051)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (2) Government Records Service

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the Analysis of Financial and Staffing Provision, the provision for 2020-21 is $19.9 million higher than the revised estimate for 2019-20, partly due to the creation of 12 additional posts. Please detail the duties of these posts and the salaries expenditure involved.

Asked by: Hon WONG Ting-kwong (LegCo internal reference no.: 52) Reply:

The Government Records Service will earmark sufficient provision in 2020-21 for the creation of 12 new posts for strengthening the services of the Public Records Office (PRO), digitising archival holdings, as well as the supporting and promotion work to assist bureaux / departments (B/Ds) in implementing electronic recordkeeping system (ERKS). The salary expenditures of the posts are as follows:

Post and Number Salary expenditure ($) (i) Services of PRO 1 Assistant Archivist 534,660 1 Assistant Clerical Officer 288,840 1 Clerical Assistant 225,540

(ii) Digitising archival holdings 1 Photographer I 306,540 2 Photographers II 451,080

(iii) Supporting and promotion work to assist B/Ds in implementing ERKS (time-limited posts) 1 Senior Executive Officer 1,124,520 5 Executive Officers I 4,037,700

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Session 6 CSO - Page 251

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO080 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6841)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (3) CSO - Administration Wing

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: The Government has set up the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide cash subsidy schemes for the retail sector. Has the Government estimated the respective numbers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be benefited and not benefited under such schemes? What are the total and average numbers of employees of these SMEs?

Asked by: Hon WU Chi-wai (LegCo internal reference no.: 32) Reply:

The Government has set aside $5.6 billion under the Anti-epidemic Fund for the launching of the Retail Sector Subsidy Scheme, which is expected to benefit some 70 000 retailers.

According to the latest “Quarterly Report of Employment and Vacancies Statistics” published by the Census and Statistics Department’s report of September 2019, around 267 000 persons were engaged in the retail sector as at September 2019. Over 98% of Hong Kong’s retail enterprises are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) (enterprises having less than 50 employees). The total number of persons engaged by retail SMEs is some 144 000, with an average of 3.3 persons employed by each retail SME.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 252

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO081 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6418)

Head: (142) Government Secretariat: Offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary

Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses

Programme: (1) Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office

Controlling Officer: Director of Administration (Ms Esther LEUNG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the first Community Dialogue session held in 2019 in response to the “anti- extradition to China” incident, please advise this Committee of the following:

1) the expenditure and manpower establishment involved in the Community Dialogue, including but not limited to venue charge, security arrangements and administration cost; and

2) the original budget for organising the Community Dialogue.

Asked by: Hon YEUNG Alvin (LegCo internal reference no.: 27) Reply:

The Community Dialogue held on 26 September 2019 had incurred event expenses of about $432,000. As the preparation for the Community Dialogue only commenced in September 2019, no provision has been made for conducting dialogue activities in the 2019-20 Estimates. The relevant expenses were absorbed by the departments concerned within their 2019-20 provision. On manpower, apart from the Dialogue Office, departments including the Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Information Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Radio Television Hong Kong have provided manpower support for the event.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 253

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO082 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4869)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (-) Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding the work in relation to the Code on Access to Information, will the Government advise this Committee on the following:

1) Concerning the requests for information under the Legal Aid Department (LAD) from October 2018 to present for which only some of the required information has been provided, please state in table form: (i) the content of the requests for which only some of the required information has been provided; (ii) the reasons for providing some of the information only; (iii) whether the decision on withholding some of the information was made at the directorate (D1 or D2) level (according to paragraph 1.8.2 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application); (iv) whether the decision on withholding some of the information was made subject to a “harm or prejudice test”, i.e. whether the public interest in disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could result from disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application)? If yes, please provide the details of how the requests have been handled eventually.

From October to December 2018

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Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

2019

(i) Content of (ii) Reasons (iii) Whether the (iv) Whether the decision the requests for for providing decision on on withholding some of the which only some of the withholding some of information was made some of the information the information was subject to a “harm or required only made at the prejudice test”, i.e. whether information directorate (D1 or the public interest in was provided D2) level (according disclosure of such to paragraph 1.8.2 of information outweighs any the Guidelines on harm or prejudice that Interpretation and could result from Application) disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

2) Concerning the requests for information under the Code on Access to Information received by the LAD from October 2018 to present for which the required information has not been provided, please state in table form: (i) the content of the requests refused; (ii) the reasons for refusal; (iii) whether the decision on withholding the information was made at the directorate (D1 or D2) level (according to paragraph 1.8.2 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application); (iv) whether the decision on withholding the information was made subject to a “harm or prejudice test”, i.e. whether the public interest in disclosure of such information outweighs any harm or prejudice that could result from disclosure (according to paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application)? If yes, please provide the details of how the requests have been handled eventually.

From October to December 2018

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Interpretation and disclosure (according to Application) paragraph 2.1.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application). If yes, please provide the details.

2019

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4) With reference to the target response times set out in paragraphs 1.16.1 to 1.19.1 of the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application of the Code on Access to Information, please advise this Committee on the following information by year in table form (with text descriptions).

(a) Within 10 days from date of receipt of a written request:

Number of Number of Number of Number of Number of requests for requests requests for requests for applications which the involving which the information which the information third party information which were applicants requested information requested refused indicated was for which could not be under the that they did provided the provided exemption not wish to information since the provisions proceed requested requests had in Part 2 of with and could not be to be the Code on withdrew provided transferred Access to since they to another Information did not department accept the which held charge the information under request 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

Within 10 to 21 days from date of receipt of a written request:

Session 6 CSO - Page 257

under request 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

Within 21 to 51 days from date of receipt of a written request:

(b) cases in which information could not be provided within 21 days from date of receipt of a request in the past 5 years:

Subject of information Date Specific reason requested

(c) cases in which information could not be provided within 51 days from date of receipt of a request in the past 5 years:

Subject of information Date Specific reason requested

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5) Please state in table form the number of those, among the cases in which requests for information were refused under the exemption provisions in Part 2 of the Code on Access to Information, on which the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data was consulted when they were being handled in the past 5 years. For cases on which advice had been sought, was it fully accepted in the end? For cases where the advice of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data was not accepted or was only partially accepted, what are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon CHAN Tanya (LegCo internal reference no.: 437) Reply:

There was no request for information under the Code on Access to Information (the Code) received by the Legal Aid Department (the Department) from October 2018 to September 2019 for which the Department provided only some of the requested information.

During the period from October 2018 to September 2019, among the requests for information under the Code received by the Department, no request was refused.

During the period from 2015 to September 2019, the Department did not receive any request for review.

During the period from 2016 to September 2019, the number of requests for which the information requested was provided within 10 days, 10 to 21 days and 22 to 51 days from the date of receipt of a written request were 5, 11 and 2 respectively. Separately, within 10 days and 11 to 21 days from the receipt of a written request, there were respectively 1 request in which the information could not be provided since the request had been transferred to another department holding the information under request and 1 request which was refused under the exemption provisions in Part 2 of the Code.

During the period from 2016 to September 2019, the main reasons for not providing information requested within 21 days from date of receipt of the requests were that longer time was required to prepare the information requested and to seek clearance from other Government departments for releasing the information requested.

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During the period from 2016 to September 2019, there was no case where the information could not be provided within 51 days from date of receipt of a request.

From 2016 to September 2019, we did not consult the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data on cases where request for information was refused under the exemption provisions in Part 2 of the Code.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 260

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO083 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5324)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise on: 1. the numbers of urgent applications processed and the average processing time in the past 5 years; 2. the numbers of applications among the above for injunction/interim custody order by the victims of domestic violence; 3. the expenditures involved in the past 5 years and the estimated expenditure for the coming financial year; 4. the numbers of applications in table form for divorce by battered spouses in relation to the total number of legal aid applications, and the expenditures incurred in the last 5 years; 5. the numbers of applications among the above for maintenance; the success rate and the amounts of maintenance awarded; 6. the resources allocated each year for handling cases of divorce arising from domestic violence.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1600) Reply:

1. and 2. When victims of domestic violence seek assistance from the Legal Aid Department (LAD), LAD would treat all such applications as urgent cases if they involve applications for injunction. Applicants of urgent cases are invited to make an application for legal aid on the very day they attend LAD’s office and interviewed by LAD staff on the same day. The time taken to process and make a decision on the application depends on a number of factors, such as the strength of the case, the need for obtaining further documents from the applicants or third parties and the time required for providing the requisite documents or information. In the past 5 years, the number of legal aid applications for injunction orders by victims of domestic violence and the respective processing time are as follows –

Session 6 CSO - Page 261

Year Number of Average processing time applications for (number of days) injunction orders by victims of domestic violence 2015 27 33 2016 34 29 2017 46 29 2018 95 17 2019 53 20

LAD does not maintain separate statistics on the number of applications seeking interim custody orders by victims of domestic violence.

3. and 6. The costs of handling cases involving victims of domestic violence are included in the annual provision to LAD which takes into consideration the actual expenditures in the past and anticipated expenditure for the coming years. LAD does not maintain separate statistics on expenditure incurred for handling cases involving victims of domestic violence.

4. and 5. LAD does not maintain separate statistics on the number of applications for divorce proceedings by battered spouses or the number of applications by battered spouses seeking maintenance, the success rate and the amount of maintenance awarded.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 262

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO084 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5325)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG )

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise: 1. Following the legislative amendments in August 2010, how many legal aid applications (including cases involving ethnic minorities, sexual minorities) have been received? 2. How many resources are deployed annually for publicity following the legislative amendments? What are the means? Through what channels? If yes, please provide the details in table form; if not, what are the reasons?

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1601) Reply:

1. Legal aid is provided to all eligible persons who satisfy both the means and merits tests as stipulated in the Legal Aid Ordinance (Cap. 91). The relevant statistics maintained by the Legal Aid Department (LAD) do not distinguish the applications made by applicants of ethnic minorities or sexual minorities. Since the amendments to the Domestic Violence Ordinance (now retitled Domestic and Cohabitation Relationships Violence Ordinance) (Cap. 189) in August 2010, the numbers of legal aid applications for injunction orders by victims of domestic violence for the past 5 years are as follows –

Year Number of legal aid applications for injunction orders by victims of domestic violence 2015 27 2016 34 2017 46 2018 95 2019 53

Session 6 CSO - Page 263

2. LAD provides legal representation to eligible persons in civil and criminal proceedings. Resources are set aside in LAD’s annual provision to publicise its services. In 2019- 20, LAD has undertaken the following activities to promote legal aid services to the community –

a. delivered talks on LAD’s services to educational institutions and interested parties (including non-Chinese speaking students from a secondary school, students from 2 secondary schools, frontline social workers of a Government department), 3 women organisations on legal aid services relating to divorce, maintenance and custody as well as a labour organisation on legal aid services relating to employees’ compensation and personal injury claims;

b. produced a television Announcement in Public Interest (API) and the corresponding radio API on legal aid services with a theme “All are equal before the law” and arranged the broadcast of the said APIs at different channels;

c. arranged the broadcast of a television API on anti-touting activities;

d. arranged the display of a poster on anti-touting activities of claims recovery agents among injured workers and accident victims at government offices, Home Affairs Enquiry Centres, community centres and community halls;

e. published and distributed information leaflets, annual reports and posters, including a poster on “All are equal before the law” carrying QR code links to leaflets and financial information sheet and a series of leaflets in 10 ethnic minority languages (namely Bengali, Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese) as well as displayed posters in the aforementioned 10 languages advising potential applicants who do not speak English or Chinese of the availability of free interpretation services to facilitate them during the application process; and

f. maintained and updated LAD’s website as a source of online information for the public.

The workload and expenditure involved in the above publicity and promotional activities are absorbed within the existing manpower and provision of LAD.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 264

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO085 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5327)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (2) Litigation Services

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Regarding matrimonial litigation - taking or defending proceedings for legally-aided persons in respect of separation, dissolution or annulment of marriage or ancillary and other relief and wardship: 1. please provide the figures of victims of domestic violence who applied for aid from the Legal Aid Department in suing the abusers in the past 5 years. What was the ratio between males and females? How many cases were approved? What were the sentences? How many cases were refused and what were the reasons? How many of the applications involved two-way exit permits? 2. how many cases of domestic violence were referred to mediation? Who made the requests? What were the reasons? Which party won/lost in the end? How were the cases settled at last? How many of the cases involved two-way exit permits? 3. whether the Department has adopted the Gender Mainstreaming Checklist? 4. if yes, what are the results? What are the aspects that require changes? 5. if no, what are the reasons? Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1603) Reply:

1. The number of legal aid applications for injunction orders by victims of domestic violence, the gender ratio and the number of legal aid certificates granted in the past 5 years are set out in the table below – Number of legal aid applications Percentage Percentage Number of Year for injunction orders by victims of female of male certificates of domestic violence applicants applicants granted 2015 27 74% 26% 14 [13] 2016 34 85% 15% 17 [17] 2017 46 98% 2% 20 [26] 2018 95 91% 9% 66 [29] 2019 53 87% 13% 37 [16] [ ] denotes the number of applications refused.

Session 6 CSO - Page 265

Applications for injunction in cases involving domestic violence are civil actions and do not involve any sentencing.

The reasons for the refusal of legal aid applications for injunction orders by victims of domestic violence in the past 5 years with breakdown are as follows – (a) withdrawal of application (37 applications); (b) failure to pass merits test (21 applications); (c) failure to furnish information or documents (26 applications); (d) applicant’s refusal to accept offer of legal aid (13 applications); (e) failure to pass means test (8 applications); and (f) failure to attend interview (1 application). (Remarks: There were 5 applications with more than 1 reason for refusal.)

Legal aid is available to all persons who satisfy both the means and merits tests as provided by the Legal Aid Ordinance (Cap. 91) irrespective of their residency or nationality. The relevant statistics maintained by the Legal Aid Department do not capture the immigration status of applicants.

2. Figures related to the use of mediation in legal aid cases involving domestic violence in the past 5 years are as follows –

Number of cases with a Year Outcome of the mediation Outcome of proceedings mediator appointed Mediation not proceeded Case adjudicated with in 1 case 2015 2 Mediation was not Case adjudicated successful in 1 case Unknown as legal aid was Mediation with outcome 2016 1 discharged in the middle of partially successful the proceedings 2017 1 Mediation not proceeded Case settled with 1 case involving mediation Proceedings on-going for 3 with successful outcome other outstanding issues 2018 Case settled in 1 case 2 cases involving mediation not proceeded with Proceedings on-going in 1 case 2019 0 N.A. N.A.

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With the implementation of the Civil Justice Reform in 2009, mediation has become an integral part of civil proceedings. Parties to the proceedings may choose to proceed to mediation depending on a number of factors such as the nature and circumstances of the case and the willingness of the parties to pursue mediation. As mediation is a means to enable parties to resolve disputes through discussion facilitated by a mediator, the categorisation of “winning/losing” is not applicable. LAD does not maintain specific information on which party made the requests for mediation, the reason for choosing to proceed to mediation and whether the cases involved two-way exit permit holders. If mediation is successful or partially successful, the settlement terms agreed will be drawn up and filed with the Court for the purpose of obtaining an order by consent embodying the settlement terms. If mediation is unsuccessful, the disputes would be adjudicated by the Court.

3.to 5. The Gender Mainstreaming Checklist is an analytical tool developed by the Women’s Commission to assist Government officers to consider the needs and perspectives of women and men in a systematic way during the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of legislation, policies and programmes. Legal aid is available to all persons who have passed both the statutory means and merits tests irrespective of gender, hence, women and men have equal access to, and benefit from, legal aid services.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 267

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO086 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5328)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise on the following for the past 5 years: 1. the breakdowns and percentages of matrimonial cases in which the applicants succeeded in obtaining ancillary relief; 2. the breakdowns and percentages of matrimonial cases involving domestic violence in which the applicants succeeded in obtaining ancillary relief; 3. the breakdowns and percentages of matrimonial cases in which the applicants obtained rights of custody and access; 4. the breakdowns and percentages of matrimonial cases involving domestic violence in which the applicants obtained rights of custody and access; 5. the numbers and percentages of matrimonial cases in which the applicants obtained joint custody; and 6. the numbers and percentages of matrimonial cases involving domestic violence in which the applicants obtained joint custody.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1604) Reply:

The percentages of matrimonial cases in which legally aided persons succeeded in obtaining ancillary relief in the past 5 years are as follows –

Year of case closed Relief obtained 2015 86% 2016 86% 2017 84% 2018 83% 2019 81%

The Legal Aid Department (LAD) does not maintain separate statistics on the respective types of ancillary relief obtained (such as maintenance, rights of custody and access or joint custody) by legally aided persons or on the percentage of such cases that involve domestic violence. - End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 268

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO087 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5329)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise on:

1. the numbers of applications processed in relation to divorce involving domestic violence and the average processing time in the past 5 years; 2. the numbers of urgent applications processed in relation to domestic violence and the average processing time in the past 5 years; 3. the numbers of applications for non-molestation orders by victims of domestic violence, the average processing time, and the respective numbers of granted and refused applications by male and female applicants; 4. further to the above question, please provide a breakdown of the major reasons for refusal of applications; 5. the numbers of applications for an injunction by victims of domestic violence, the average processing time, and the respective numbers of granted and refused applications by male and female applicants; 6. further to the above question, please provide a breakdown of the major reasons for refusal of applications.

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1605) Reply:

1. The Legal Aid Department (LAD) does not maintain statistics on the number of legal aid applications involving domestic violence for divorce and non-divorce cases.

2. When victims of domestic violence seek assistance from LAD, LAD would treat all such applications as urgent cases if they involve applications for injunction. Applicants of urgent cases are invited to make an application for legal aid on the very day they attend LAD’s office and interviewed by LAD staff on the same day. The time taken to process and make a decision on the application depends on a number of factors, such as the strength of the case, the need for obtaining further documents from the applicants or third parties and the time required for providing the requisite documents or information.

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3. & 5.:

In the past 5 years, the number of legal aid applications for injunction orders (including non-molestation orders) by victims of domestic violence, the average processing time, the respective numbers of legal aid certificates granted/refused with breakdown by gender of the applicants are set out in the table below –

Number of legal Average Number of Number of Year aid applications processing certificates granted applications refused for injunction time Female Male Female Male orders (number of (including non- days) molestation orders) by victims of domestic violence 2015 27 33 10 4 10 3

2016 34 29 13 4 16 1

2017 46 29 20 0 25 1

2018 95 17 62 4 24 5

2019 53 20 34 3 12 4

4. & 6.:

The reasons for refusal of legal aid applications for injunction or non-molestation orders by alleged victims of domestic violence in the past 5 years with breakdown are as follows –

(a) withdrawal of application (37 applications); (b) failure to pass merits test (21 applications); (c) failure to furnish information or documents (26 applications); (d) applicant’s refusal to accept offer of legal aid (13 applications); (e) failure to pass means test (8 applications); and (f) failure to attend interview (1 application).

(Remarks: There were 5 applications with more than 1 reason for refusal.)

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 270

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO088 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 5330)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise on: the numbers of domestic violence cases referred to mediation in the past 5 years, together with the following information:

(1) who made the requests? what were the reasons? (2) the respective numbers of successful and unsuccessful cases; (3) how were the cases settled at last?

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Chiu-hung, Fernando (LegCo internal reference no.: 1606) Reply:

Figures relating to the use of mediation in legal aid cases involving domestic violence in the past 5 years are as follows –

Number of cases Year with mediator Outcome of the mediation Outcome of proceedings appointed 1 case with mediation not Case adjudicated proceeded with 2015 2 1 case with unsuccessful Case adjudicated outcome of mediation Unknown as legal aid was Mediation with outcome 2016 1 discharged in the middle of partially successful the proceedings

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Number of cases Year with mediator Outcome of the mediation Outcome of proceedings appointed 2017 1 Mediation not proceeded Case settled with

1 case with successful Proceedings on-going for outcome of mediation with other outstanding issues

2018 Case settled in 1 case 3 2 cases with mediation not proceeded with Proceedings on-going in 1 case 2019 N.A. N.A.

With the implementation of the Civil Justice Reform in 2009, mediation has become an integral part of civil proceedings. Parties to the proceedings may choose to proceed to mediation depending on a number of factors such as the nature and circumstances of the case and the willingness of the parties to pursue mediation. As mediation is a means to enable parties to resolve disputes through discussion facilitated by a mediator, the categorisation of “winning/losing” is not applicable. The Legal Aid Department does not maintain specific information on which party made the requests for mediation or the reasons for choosing to proceed to mediation. If mediation is successful or partially successful, the settlement terms agreed will be drawn up and filed with the Court for the purpose of obtaining an order by consent embodying the settlement terms. If mediation is unsuccessful, the disputes would be adjudicated by the Court.

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 272

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO089 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4939)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications; (2) Litigation Services

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Please advise on the total number of legal aid applications received last year, and the total number received within last year since June 2019, as well as the number of applications related to the “anti-extradition bill” movement.

Asked by: Hon KWOK Ka-ki (LegCo internal reference no.: 579) Reply:

The total numbers of legal aid applications received last year and from June to December 2019 are as follows:

Number of legal aid applications received in 2019 (Figures in brackets are those received from June to December 2019)

Civil Criminal Total 2019 12 922 3 152 16 074 (June - December 2019) (7 405) (1 781) (9 186)

There are respectively 44 civil and 104 criminal legal aid applications received from 1 June 2019 to 6 March 2020 relating to the “Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019”.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 273

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO090 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 3727)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (-) Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: Will the Bureau please provide the balance, government injection amount, investment or other income and total expenditure of the following funds in 2018-19? If there are other funds within the purview of the Bureau not being listed below, please also provide information as per the items above.

1. Supplementary Legal Aid Fund

Asked by: Hon MA Fung-kwok (LegCo internal reference no.: 21) Reply:

The Supplementary Legal Aid Fund (SLAF) was established on 1 October 1984. It is administered by the Legal Aid Department under the Supplementary Legal Aid Scheme (SLAS). SLAS is a self-financing scheme and its objective is to provide legal assistance to the “sandwich class”, i.e. persons whose financial resources exceed the statutory limit allowed under the Ordinary Legal Aid Scheme but are within the amount specified for SLAS.

A sum of $1 million was received from the Lotteries Fund as a loan facility when SLAF was set up in 1984. There was no initial injection from the Government. In 1995 and 2012, the Government made 2 injections of $27 million and $100 million respectively to SLAF to facilitate the expansion of the scope of SLAS. Since then, there has been no further injection from the Government.

As at 30 September 2019, the outstanding balance, income and expenditure of SLAF for the 2018-19 financial year are $205 million, $16.4 million and $8.7 million1 respectively.

1 The figures have yet to be audited by the Director of Audit.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 274

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO091 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 6078)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (-) Not Specified

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: a. Please set out the quantity, value and stock of surgical masks produced by the Correctional Services Department (CSI masks) that the Legal Aid Department (LAD) obtained from the Government Logistics Department (GLD) each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of CSI Value of CSI masks Stock of CSI masks masks obtained obtained

b. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of surgical masks that the LAD obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of Number of Stock Consumption surgical masks surgical masks obtained from procured GLD (value) (value)

c. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of N95 masks that the LAD obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of Number of Stock Consumption N95 masks N95 masks obtained from procured GLD (value) (value)

Session 6 CSO - Page 275 d. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of gowns that the LAD obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of Number of Stock Consumption gowns gowns obtained from procured GLD (value) (value)

e. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of protective coverall suits that the LAD obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of Number of Stock Consumption protective protective coverall suits coverall suits obtained from procured GLD (value) (value)

f. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of face shields that the LAD obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of Value of face Stock of face Consumption face shields shields shields procured procured

g. Please set out the quantity, value, stock and consumption of goggles that the LAD obtained from the GLD or procured each month in the past 3 years in the following table:

Month/Year Number of Value of Stock of Consumption goggles goggles goggles procured procured

h. Did the LAD supply or sell surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, goggles, gowns and protective coverall suits to other organisations in the past 3 years? If yes, please provide the relevant information, including the quantity, consumption and stock, in the following table:

Month/ Name of Manner of Surgical N95 Face Goggles Gowns Protective Year organisations provision masks masks shields coverall (e.g. sold or suits supplied for free)

Session 6 CSO - Page 276

i. If the LAD is to supply or sell surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, goggles, gowns and protective coverall suits to other organisations, what are the divisions and the ranks of the officers responsible for making such decisions? Please provide the ranks of the officers involved in each decision, the date they made the decision and other relevant information.

Asked by: Hon MO Claudia (LegCo internal reference no.: 167) Reply:

With an upsurge in the global demand for protective items, the Government is facing keen competition in its procurement. The Government considers it inappropriate at this stage to disclose further information about the stock levels, quantities procured and amounts paid, and consumption of the protective items in individual departments in the past few years and recent months so as not to undermine the bargaining power of the GLD and departments concerned in procuring the protective items.

The Legal Aid Department has not supplied or sold any protective items to any organisations.

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 277

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO092 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4485)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In each year since 2017, what were the numbers of employees’ compensation claims filed with the court by employees, broken down by case nature (i.e. injury or fatality) and industry?

Asked by: Hon WAN Siu-kin, Andrew (LegCo internal reference no.: 77) Reply:

The employees’ compensation (EC) claims filed with the court by employees consist of both legally-aided and private cases.

While we do not have the statistics on private cases, the numbers of legal aid certificates granted by the Legal Aid Department (LAD) in EC claims from 2017 to 2019 are as follows:-

Year Number of EC Claims Granted with Legal Aid Certificates 2017 1 313 2018 1 157 2019 1 105

LAD does not have breakdown statistics on the above figures by case nature and industry.

- End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 278

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO093 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4486)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In each year from 2017 to 2019, what were the respective numbers of legal aid applications (i) received and (ii) approved by the Legal Aid Department in respect of employees’ compensation claims; and for the approved cases, the amount of expenditure incurred so far, as well as the average and median time taken from submission of applications to granting of approval?

Asked by: Hon WAN Siu-kin, Andrew (LegCo internal reference no.: 78) Reply:

The numbers of legal aid applications received and certificates granted by the Legal Aid Department (LAD) in employees’ compensation (EC) claims from 2017 to 2019 are as follows:-

Number of EC claims Year Applications received Certificates granted* 2017 2 157 1 313 2018 1 989 1 157 2019 1 915 1 105 * Certificates may not be granted in the same year as the applications were received.

The total amounts of expenditure incurred for the approved cases in 2017-18 and 2018-19 were $61.9 million and $62.8 million respectively. The processing time taken from applications received to making an offer for legal aid from 2017 to 2019 is as follows:-

Processing time for EC claims (calendar days)

2017 2018 2019 Median 66 67 66 Average 66 69 64 - End -

Session 6 CSO - Page 279

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO094 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4487)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In each year from 2017 to 2019, what was the number of employees’ compensation claims with legal aid granted and heard by the court (with a breakdown by results (i.e. claims awarded, dismissed or resolved by settlements)); (ii) the number of cases in which legal aid was discharged by the Legal Aid Department in the course of proceedings; (iii) the respective highest, lowest, median and average amounts of compensation payable in the cases ruled successful by the court; and (iv) in the cases in which settlement agreements were reached by both parties to the proceedings?

Asked by: Hon WAN Siu-kin, Andrew (LegCo internal reference no.: 79) Reply:

The number of legal aid certificates granted by the Legal Aid Department (LAD) in employees’ compensation (EC) claims from 2017 to 2019 are set out below. LAD does not maintain statistics on the number of such cases subsequently heard by the court:

Year Number of EC claims granted with legal aid certificates 2017 1 313 2018 1 157 2019 1 105

The number of legal aid cases in respect of EC claims which were closed in each year, irrespective of whether they were heard by the court, from 2017 to 2019 are provided below. A breakdown of such cases by court ruling (in favour or not in favour), and by cases discharged/revoked is as follows:

Session 6 CSO - Page 280

Number of EC claims Discharged / Discharged at Discharged / Year Not in revoked aided person's revoked In favour1 Total favour prior to request during during proceedings proceedings proceedings 2017 1 148 (96%) 10 (1%) 13 (1%) 9 (1%) 14 (1%) 1 194 (100%) 2018 1 266 (96%) 22 (1%) 11 (1%) 9 (1%) 14 (1%) 1 322 (100%) 2019 1 166 (96%) 8 (1%) 11 (1%) 13 (1%) 19 (1%) 1 217 (100%)

Note 1: Cases in which settlement agreement was reached without a hearing are included. However, LAD does not keep breakdown figures of such cases.

From 2017 to 2019, the highest, lowest, median and average amounts of compensation received in legally aided EC claims that were closed in each year are appended below:

Amounts of compensation awarded in EC claims ($’000)2 2017 2018 2019

Highest 3,360.62 3,031.12 1,032.37 Lowest 1.00 1.80 17.50 Median 150.00 145.80 150,00 Average 236.42 227.64 204.10

Note 2: The amount of compensation awarded was low in some EC claims because of various reasons, e.g. the percentage of loss of earning capacity assessed was low or the final award was made after deducting a large amount of advance payment such as sick leave payment already received.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 281

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21 Reply Serial No.

CSO095 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY

(Question Serial No. 4488)

Head: (94) Legal Aid Department

Subhead (No. & title): (-) Not Specified

Programme: (1) Processing of Legal Aid Applications

Controlling Officer: Director of Legal Aid (Thomas Edward KWONG)

Director of Bureau: Director of Administration

Question: In each year from 2017 to 2019, what were the respective numbers of cases in which employees incapacitated as a result of work injuries (i) applied for and (ii) were granted Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Normal Disability Allowance and Higher Disability Allowance, and the amount of expenditure incurred in the approved cases for each type of allowances?

Asked by: Hon WAN Siu-kin, Andrew (LegCo internal reference no.: 80) Reply:

The Legal Aid Department does not maintain statistics on the respective numbers of cases in which employees incapacitated as a result of work injuries (i) applied for and (ii) were granted Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, Normal Disability Allowance and Higher Disability Allowance, and the amount of expenditure incurred in the approved cases for each type of allowances.

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Session 6 CSO - Page 282