Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB148 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 0303 Department
Programme: (2) Local Public Relations and Public Information
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
(a) Regarding the 1 073 press conferences and briefings arranged in 2011, please give a breakdown of them by departments.
(b) Does the aforementioned number include closed door briefings (commonly known as “tip-off” sessions) and please give a breakdown of them by departments.
(c) A total of 64 949 press releases were issued in 2011. Please give a breakdown of them by departments and the languages used.
Asked by: Hon. EU Yuet-mee, Audrey
Reply:
(a) The breakdown of 1 073 press conferences and briefings arranged in 2011, categorised by departments and organisations, is as follows:
Department / organisation Number Chief Executive's Office 34 Chief Secretary for Administration's Office 29 Financial Secretary's Office 33 Secretariat Press Office (Civil Service) 4 Secretariat Press Office (Commerce and Economic Development) 35 Secretariat Press Office (Constitutional and Mainland Affairs) 63 Secretariat Press Office (Development) 82 Secretariat Press Office (Education) 14 Secretariat Press Office (Environment) 17 Secretariat Press Office (Financial Services and the Treasury) 17 Secretariat Press Office (Food and Health) 95 Secretariat Press Office (Home Affairs) 36 Secretariat Press Office (Labour and Welfare) 63 Secretariat Press Office (Security) 55
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Department / organisation Number Secretariat Press Office (Transport and Housing) 17 Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department 28 Buildings Department 2 Civil Aviation Department 2 Correctional Services Department 3 Customs and Excise Department 22 Department of Health 34 Department of Justice 3 Fire Services Department 47 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 5 Hong Kong Police Force 200 Housing Authority / Housing Department 10 Information Services Department 2 Innovation and Technology Commission 13 Judiciary 1 Labour Department 14 Leisure and Cultural Services Department 78 Marine Department 2 Registration and Electoral Office 6 Social Welfare Department 3 Trade and Industry Department 2 Transport Department 2
(b) The number of press conferences and briefings mentioned in (a) includes 33 closed door briefings. The breakdown of the briefings, categorised by bureaux and departments, is as follows:
Department Number Chief Executive's Office 1 Financial Secretary's Office 1 Secretariat Press Office (Civil Service) 3 Secretariat Press Office (Commerce and Economic Development) 2 Secretariat Press Office (Constitutional and Mainland Affairs) 1 Secretariat Press Office (Development) 8 (Note) Secretariat Press Office (Education) 1 Secretariat Press Office (Environment) 5 Secretariat Press Office (Financial Services and the Treasury) 1
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Department Number Secretariat Press Office (Labour and Welfare) 2 Secretariat Press Office (Security) 2 Secretariat Press Office (Transport and Housing) 2 Information Services Department 2 Trade and Industry Department 1 Transport Department 1
* Closed door briefings allow officials to explain in greater depth the thinking behind policy formulation, the relevant background and technical details. Media representatives are able to raise more in-depth questions and both sides can have a more thorough exchange. This in turn can help the media better understand policy formulation and other aspects of government procedures. For example, following the submission of a Legislative Panel paper, it may be necessary to give a more detailed explanation to the media in view of the complexity of the issues involved.
Note: The eight occasions attributed to Development Bureau are all briefings introduced since 2008 as a means for the bureau to explain to the media papers presented to the Legislative Council Panel on Development. Major local newspapers and electronic media are invited to attend, and they may in their reporting attribute remarks made by attending officials to “Development Bureau spokesman”.
(c) The Government News and Media Information System issued 64 949 press releases in 2011, including press releases, ANE (attention news editors), INC (incident reports) and fax broadcasts (mainly announcements by Transport Department). The breakdown of 64 949 press releases (22 564 Chinese press releases and 42 385 English press releases) issued in 2011, categorised by departments and languages used, is as follows:
Department / organisation No. of Chinese No. of English Total press releases press releases Chief Executive's Office 219 182 401 Chief Secretary for Administration's Office 147 104 251 Financial Secretary's Office 139 118 257 Secretariat Press Office (Civil Service) 57 55 112 Secretariat Press Office (Commerce and 328 285 613 Economic Development) Secretariat Press Office (Constitutional and 255 160 415 Mainland Affairs) Secretariat Press Office (Development) 581 531 1 112 Secretariat Press Office (Education) 222 192 414 Secretariat Press Office (Environment) 140 122 262 Secretariat Press Office (Financial Services and 347 279 626 the Treasury) Secretariat Press Office (Food and Health) 288 218 506
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Department / organisation No. of Chinese No. of English Total press releases press releases Secretariat Press Office (Home Affairs) 279 187 466 Secretariat Press Office (Labour and Welfare) 319 193 512 Secretariat Press Office (Security) 318 264 582 Secretariat Press Office (Transport and 249 210 459 Housing) Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation 175 171 346 Department Audit Commission 4 4 8 BJO (Office of the Government of HKSAR in 3 1 4 Beijing) Buildings Department 32 32 64 Census and Statistics Department 189 189 378 Civil Aviation Department 32 33 65 Correctional Services Department 87 87 174 Customs and Excise Department 88 87 175 Department of Health 450 449 899 Department of Justice 54 43 97 Economic and Trade Offices 54 75 129 Environmental Protection Department 149 149 298 Executive Council Secretariat 7 6 13 Fire Services Department 18 17 35 Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 219 212 431 Government Flying Service 1 1 2 Home Affairs Department 878 879 1 757 Hong Kong Monetary Authority 354 354 708 Hong Kong Observatory 82 81 163 Hong Kong Police Force 809 21 276 22 085 Hongkong Post 77 77 154 Hospital Authority 366 328 694 Housing Authority / Housing Department 64 48 112 Immigration Department 72 72 144 Information Services Department 1 861 2 124 3 985 Innovation and Technology Commission 24 23 47 Invest Hong Kong 64 64 128 Judiciary 25 25 50
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Department / organisation No. of Chinese No. of English Total press releases press releases Labour Department 192 159 351 Legislative Council 285 285 570 Leisure and Cultural Services Department 1 398 1 378 2 776 Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority 66 65 131 Marine Department 86 86 172 Planning Department 16 16 32 Port, Maritime and Logistics Development 6 9 15 Unit Rating and Valuation Department 1 1 2 Registration and Electoral Office 191 191 382 Social Welfare Department 181 180 361 Trade and Industry Department 44 44 88 Transport Department 9 972 9 964 19 936
Signature
Name in block letters TSE Cheung-hing
Post Title Acting Director of Information Services
Date 5 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB149 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 2719 Department
Programme: (1) Public Relations Outside Hong Kong
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question: On promoting the opportunities provided by the National 12th Five-Year Plan, what are the corresponding arrangements made by the Information Services Department (ISD) in the current year and has any assessment been made on the results of such measures? If yes, what are the details of the assessment; if not, what are the reasons?
Asked by: Hon. SHEK Lai-him, Abraham
Reply:
ISD provides public relations and promotional support to policy bureaux as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) offices around the world. It also works closely with agencies tasked with trade promotion and attracting investors and tourists, highlighting to external audiences Hong Kong’s positioning as Asia’s world city.
The scope of publicity and promotional efforts outside Hong Kong is determined by the Government’s policy agenda and is generally broad in nature. Invariably, we will promote Hong Kong’s credentials as an international centre for finance, shipping, logistics, business services and tourism, a gateway to the Mainland market as well as the development of the six industries where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages. These are all closely related to the support spelt out for Hong Kong in the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
Promotional work is carried out in a number of ways. These include daily interaction between the HKSARG’s Mainland and overseas offices with their interlocutors; outbound visits of the Chief Executive and Principal Officials; media interviews and supplements; exhibitions; seminars; cultural performances and film festivals.
We make extensive use of press releases, speeches by senior officials, photos, video clips, booklets, leaflets, newsletters, websites and other social media platforms to publicise the latest economic situation and opportunities in Hong Kong, including those spelt out in the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
ISD runs sponsored visit programmes to keep influential constituencies outside Hong Kong posted on the city’s latest situation. The visitors include political figures, business leaders, think tanks and academics, government officials and the media. They will be introduced to Hong Kong’s economic strengths fortified by the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
Success of our publicity and promotion work is directly reflected in international media coverage on the city’s economic strengths, and indirectly in the number of overseas and Mainland businesses setting up in Hong Kong, inward investment, stock market listings, initial public offerings etc.
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 29 February 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB150 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 1631 Department
Programme: (1) Public Relations Outside Hong Kong
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question: Among the matters requiring special attention in 2012-13, the Information Services Department (ISD) indicates that it will promote the opportunities provided by the National 12th Five-Year Plan. Please advise the details of work to be included and the respective financial resources and manpower.
Asked by: Hon. WONG Ting-kwong
Reply: ISD provides public relations and promotional support to policy bureaux as well as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) offices around the world. It also works closely with agencies tasked with trade promotion and attracting investors and tourists, highlighting to external audiences Hong Kong’s positioning as Asia’s world city. This work is funded from within the Department’s existing financial and manpower resources.
The scope of publicity and promotional efforts outside Hong Kong is determined by the Government’s policy agenda and is generally broad in nature. Invariably, we will promote Hong Kong’s credentials as an international centre for finance, shipping, logistics, business services and tourism, a gateway to the Mainland market as well as the development of the six industries where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages. These are all closely related to the support spelt out for Hong Kong in the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
Promotional work is carried out in a number of ways. These include daily interaction between the HKSARG’s Mainland and overseas offices with their interlocutors; outbound visits of the Chief Executive and Principal Officials; media interviews and supplements; exhibitions; seminars; cultural performances and film festivals.
We make extensive use of press releases, speeches by senior officials, photos, video clips, booklets, leaflets, newsletters, websites and other social media platforms to publicise the latest economic situation and opportunities in Hong Kong, including those spelt out in the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
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ISD runs sponsored visit programmes to keep influential constituencies outside Hong Kong posted on the city’s latest situation. The visitors include political figures, think tanks and academics, government officials and the media. They will be introduced to Hong Kong’s economic strengths fortified by the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 29 February 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB151 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 1632 Department
Programme: (2) Local Public Relations and Public Information
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
Among the matters requiring special attention in 2012-13, the Information Services Department (ISD) indicates that it will enhance public relations support for Bureau Directors, Permanent Secretaries, Bureau officials and Heads of Departments. Please advise the measures and work to be included as well as the respective financial resources and manpower.
Asked by: Hon. WONG Ting-kwong
Reply:
The Information Services Department (ISD) maintains close liaison with information grade officers posted to various Government bureaux and departments and stands ready to give them any support they need. Information officers are posted to the private offices of Principal Officials to act as their Press Secretaries and to the information and public relations units set up in 34 Government bureaux and departments to assist in the formulation and implementation of public relations strategies, advise bureau/department heads on public relations matters, answer media enquiries, prepare press releases and organise press conferences and promotional activities.
In the coming year, ISD will continue to provide public relations support for various Government bureaux and departments in matters such as elections, the inauguration of the fourth term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and other ad-hoc events. Input and assistance will be provided in respect of public relations, design, publicity and media arrangements. The work will be met by flexible redeployment of manpower in the ISD headquarters and departmental units at various bureaux and departments. No extra manpower and financial resources will be involved.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 29 February 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB152 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 0953 Department
Programme: (2) Local Public Relations and Public Information
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
The Information Services Department (ISD) arranged 1 204 press conferences and briefings in 2010 and 1 073 in 2011. How many of them were “tip-off” sessions which disclosed information to the invited media only by “informed sources”? It is estimated that ISD will arrange 1 080 press conferences and briefings in 2012. Will ISD stop using “informed sources” to disseminate the information and, as far as possible, invite all media to attend so that the information will be accessible to more members of the public, thus enhancing the cost effectiveness?
Asked by: Hon. WONG Yuk-man
Reply:
Among the 1 204 press conferences and briefings arranged by the Government in 2010, 44 were background briefings, of which 25 were attributable to government sources and 19 to government/policy bureau/department spokesmen.
Of the 1 073 press conferences and briefings arranged by the Government in 2011, 33 were background briefings, of which 14 were attributable to government sources and 19 to government/policy bureau/department spokesmen.
In general, local electronic media and newspapers are invited to background briefings. These briefings are targeted at the senior management or senior beat reporters of media organisations. Officials may explain in greater depth the thinking behind policy formulation, the relevant background and technical details. Media representatives are able to raise more in-depth questions and both sides can have a more thorough exchange. This in turn can help the media better understand policy formulation and other aspects of government procedure. For example, following the submission of a Legislative Council Panel paper, it may be necessary to give a more detailed explanation to the media in view of the complexity of the issues involved.
The Government will continue to disseminate information or respond to the media through appropriate means.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 29 February 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB251 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 3392 Department
Programme: (1) Public Relations Outside Hong Kong
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
Will the Information Services Department (ISD) provide details of the speaking engagements arranged outside Hong Kong for the past 3 years and the expenditure incurred year by year?
Asked by: Hon. CHAN Tanya
Reply:
The Information Services Department (ISD), in conjunction with government offices outside Hong Kong, has rendered support in arranging speaking engagements and meetings for senior government officials during their outgoing visits. The aim is to promote Hong Kong and enable the external audience to understand Hong Kong’s strengths and latest development. The number of speaking engagements and meetings that ISD helped arrange and the expenditure incurred in the past 3 years are as follows:
No. of Speaking Engagements Year No of Cities Expenditure and Meetings 2010-11 175 21 $917,255
2009-10 214 24 $817,995
2008-09 173 19 $1,203,878
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 2 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB252 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 3402 Department
Programme: (1) Public Relations Outside Hong Kong
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
Regarding “assistance given to sponsored visitors and visiting VIPs” over the past 3 years, how many resources have been deployed by the Information Services Department (ISD), what are the details and the respective expenditures?
Asked by: Hon. CHAN Tanya
Reply:
The Information Services Department (ISD) runs a Sponsored Visitors Programme to keep influential constituencies outside Hong Kong posted on the city’s latest situation. The visitors include political figures, business leaders, think-tank members, academics and government officials. The number of sponsored visitors in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 was 83, 102 and 104 respectively. The corresponding yearly expenditure was $5.14 million, $4.79 million and $6.9 million. Besides, ISD assisted the visits of 232, 290 and 187 other VIPs respectively in these 3 years.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 2 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB253 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 3411 Department
Programme: (4) Civic Responsibility
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
The Information Services Department (ISD) had assisted in the planning and implementation of 9 “major campaigns” respectively in 2010 and 2011, what are the details and the expenditures incurred respectively?
Asked by: Hon. CHAN Tanya
Reply:
The Information Services Department (ISD) provides advice and technical support to bureaux and departments (B/Ds) in planning, organising and implementing publicity campaigns and promotion drives.
ISD provided assistance in planning and mounting 9 publicity campaigns in each of the calendar years 2010 and 2011 as follows:
Campaigns mounted in 2010 1) HKSAR’s Participation in the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China (Expo 2010) 2) 2012 Constitutional Reform Package 3) Healthcare Reform Second Stage Public Consultation 4) 2011 Population Census 5) Anti-drug 6) Fight Crime 7) Environmental Protection 8) Road Safety 9) Fire Prevention
Campaigns mounted in 2011 1) 2011 Population Census 2) 2011 Voter Registration 3) 2011 District Council Election 4) Scheme $6,000 5) Anti-drug 6) Fight Crime 7) Environmental Protection 8) Road Safety 9) Fire Prevention
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These campaigns made use of a variety of publicity and advertising means ranging from TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest and special TV/radio programmes, to community involvement activities, display advertising, giveaways, dedicated websites, advertising in the print media and on Internet.
For Hong Kong’s participation in Expo 2010, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved a sum of $201 million, of which $20 million was allocated for publicity and souvenirs. To enhance publicity efforts, ISD absorbed an expenditure of another $10 million through internal redeployment of resources.
Expenses for the other campaigns mentioned above were absorbed by the relevant B/Ds responsible for the campaigns.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 2 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB254 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 3412 Department
Programme: (4) Civic Responsibility
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
The Information Services Department (ISD) will assist in the planning and implementation of 10 major campaigns and 135 minor campaigns respectively in 2012. What are the details and the estimated expenditures respectively?
Asked by: Hon. CHAN Tanya
Reply:
The Information Services Department (ISD) provides advice and technical support to bureaux and departments (B/Ds) in planning, organising and implementing publicity campaigns and promotion drives.
In the calendar year 2012, ISD expects to provide assistance in planning and mounting publicity campaigns as follows:
1) Chief Executive Election 2) 2012 Voter Registration 3) 2012 Legislative Council Election 4) 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR 5) Anti-Drug 6) Environmental Protection 7) Road Safety 8) Fight Crime 9) Fire Prevention 10) Any Other Campaign
These campaigns will make use of a variety of publicity and advertising means ranging from TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs) and special TV/radio programmes, to exhibitions, community involvement activities, display advertising, giveaways, dedicated websites, advertising in the print media and on Internet.
In regard to the estimated 135 minor campaigns planned for 2012, these relate mainly to publicity campaigns on a wide range of issues of community concern conveyed mostly through TV and radio APIs, posters and leaflets.
The budgets for major and minor campaigns are the responsibility of, and are funded by, the respective B/Ds responsible for the campaigns.
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 2 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB255 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 3418 Department
Programme: (4) Civic Responsibility
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
What are the details of assistance given by the Information Services Department (ISD) to the 2012 Legislative Council Election and the estimated expenditure during 2012-13?
Asked by: Hon. CHAN Tanya
Reply:
The Information Services Department (ISD) provides advice and technical support to bureaux and departments (B/Ds) in planning, organising and implementing publicity campaigns and promotion drives.
ISD plays an advisory role in devising strategies, themes, communication tools and budgets for general and specific publicity needs. Among other services, it provides support to B/Ds on the production of Announcements in the Public Interest on television and radio, including the selection of advertising agencies/production houses and development of creative concepts. ISD also helps ensure quality control and timely delivery of the publicity items concerned.
The content and budget of the publicity campaign for the 2012 Legislative Council Election are not available yet.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 2 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.
Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Reply Serial No.
HAB256 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION Question Serial No. Head: 74 – Information Services Subhead (No. & title): 3419 Department
Programme: (2) Local Public Relations and Public Information
Controlling Officer: Director of Information Services
Director of Bureau: Secretary for Home Affairs
Question:
For the past 5 years, how many press conferences and briefings had been held by the Information Services Department (ISD) each year? What are the details and the expenditure incurred year by year?
Asked by: Hon. CHAN Tanya
Reply:
The numbers of press conferences and briefings arranged by the Information Services Department (ISD) in the past five years are as follows:
* In 2011, 1 073 press conferences and briefings were arranged, of which 33 were background briefings;
* In 2010, 1 204 press conferences and briefings were arranged, of which 44 were background briefings;
* In 2009, 1 461 press conferences and briefings were arranged, of which 61 were background briefings;
* In 2008, 1 181 press conferences and briefings were arranged, of which 52 were background briefings; and
* In 2007, 1 100 press conferences and briefings were arranged, of which 33 were background briefings.
As the work of arranging press conferences and briefings is handled by Information Officers within ISD headquarters and/or by Information Officers posted to other Government bureaux and departments, no extra financial and manpower resources are incurred.
Signature
Name in block letters Michael WONG
Post Title Director of Information Services
Date 2 March 2012
Session 20 HAB – page no.