The Accountability System represents an important step in the right direction. However, the Government clearly recognises that the operation of the system in the past year has not been entirely smooth.

This was the message from Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam during the motion debate on the Accountability System today.

Mr Lam said the Accountability System is a new system of governance. The Government has made a good start by creating a political tier at the top of the administration, which is accountable to Hong Kong people and addresses public demands.

However, the Government fully recognises that it should strengthen its efforts to maintain closer communication with the community to ensure that its policies can better meet public expectations.

He said that after the introduction of the system, the Government has become more decisive and flexible in responding to the evolving situation and in formulating policies.

For example, he said, in tackling the SARS outbreak, the Government rolled out a package of relief measures amounting to $11.8 billion to help the community tide over their difficulties and to get the economy moving.

The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with the Mainland is another exapmle, he added.

Mr Lam said all these demonstrated that the Government attached tremendous importance to public opinion and sentiments, and the well-being of the people.

Under the Accountability System, all Principal Officials are subject to the scrutiny of the Legislative Council, the media and the public, Mr Lam said.

He stressed that the 'penny stocks' and 'car purchase' incidents demonstrated the force of the media and public scrutiny.

Mr Lam said that in both incidents, the relevant Principal Officials were willing to shoulder political responsibility and apologised to the public.

"This readiness to bear political responsibility was an important development. It also signified that the Government had turned a new page in establishing the culture of accountability," Mr Lam said.

He added that the Government will take forward the review of post-2007 constitutional development methodically.

He said the Government will conduct the review seriously and set aside sufficient time and opportunities for the public to participate and to give their views.

He said the Constitutional Affairs Bureau will conduct internal research, public consultation, and deal with local legislation.

Mr Lam said that he heard the views of the public who gathered outside LegCo last night.

He said he will endeavour to establish common ground with different political parties and LegCo members, and to create new room for constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law.