ExCo endorses govt reorganisation

May 17, 2022

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

 

The Executive Council announced today that it considered and endorsed a package of proposals to reorganise the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s structure to take effect from July 1.

 

The endorsed package includes the proposals initiated by Chief Executive Carrie Lam and additional ones put forward by Chief Executive-elect John Lee.

 

Mr Lee’s proposal comprises the creation of three new positions of politically appointed officials at the rank of deputy secretary of department, ie Deputy Chief Secretary, Deputy Financial Secretary and Deputy Secretary for Justice. The existing offices of the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice will also be strengthened by adding to each office one directorate officer and creating a political assistant post to support the Secretary for Justice.

 

Meeting the media this afternoon, Mr Lee said that through the Secretary for Justice’s office, he plans to enhance the promotion and understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law.

 

“I want the Secretary for Justice and the deputy to go out to explain in full the legal system in Hong Kong, the rule of law and the independent judiciary in Hong Kong, so as to let people know the true picture of Hong Kong, particularly when we have been bad-mouthed by some politicians for political reasons, who have unfairly criticised the system that is being practised in Hong Kong.”

 

More can be done to ensure Hong Kong can expand the influence and advantages of its legal services in the region and raise its profile and position as a dispute resolution centre, he noted.

 

“That is why I think the creation of a deputy will be of importance to our further advancement in this area.”

 

Under the reorganisation proposal, the number of policy bureaus will increase from 13 to 15. Nine policy bureaus will be put under the Chief Secretary’s supervision, while the Financial Secretary will oversee another six bureaus.

 

“Regarding the Development Bureau and the Housing Bureau, we have been troubled by a shortage of land and housing for many years. And I have made it a very clear point that in the sixth-term Government, this will be a priority area. We have to speed up things.

 

“I think the development of land and the provision of housing will be in the best hands of the Financial Secretary because it relates to - first of all - finding land, which is a key area in relation to financial and development matters.

 

“And hand in hand, both bureaus under him (or her) will create synergies.”

 

The Government said it will submit the reorganisation proposals to the Legislative Council later today. Together with Office of the CE-elect representatives, relevant officials will attend a subcommittee meeting at LegCo to answer lawmakers’ questions.

 

The restructure entails an increase of 13 politically appointed officials and 57 civil service posts at a total salary cost of about $95 million per year, the Government added.

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