The Government exists to serve the community well within available resources. To this end, it recognises the need for the community to be well informed about the Government, the services it provides and the basis for policies and decisions that affect individuals and the community as a whole.
The Code on Access to Information (the Code) defines the scope of information that will be provided, sets out how the information will be made available either routinely or in response to a request, and lays down procedures governing its prompt release.
The Code authorises and requires civil servants, routinely or on request, to provide information unless there are specific reasons for not doing so. These reasons are set out in Part 2 and will normally be referred to if a request for information is refused.
Requests for information will be handled as promptly and helpfully as possible and if necessary, members of the public may be approached to clarify their requests or the requests may be directed to the most appropriate department. Procedures will be kept as simple as possible.
The Code also sets out procedures for review or complaint if a member of the public considers that the provisions of the Code have not been properly applied.
The Code can be accessed at https://www.access.gov.hk.
For enquiries on statistical data, submission of Import/Export Declarations and Cargo Manifests or other matters concerning the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), please visit the "Enquiries" section, which provides the contact telephone numbers, facsimile numbers and e-mail addresses for various subject areas. The addresses of the headquarters and sub-offices of C&SD are also given in that section. It is not necessary to invoke the Code for making such enquiries.
Senior Statistician (Statistical Information Dissemination) is the Access to Information Officer of C&SD who is responsible for ensuring that requests for information under the Code are properly dealt with in accordance with specified procedures.
Requests for information on records held by C&SD under the Code may be made by letter or by using an application form downloadable here. Applications should be addressed to:
Access to Information Officer
Census and Statistics Department
By mail: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
By fax: (852) 2827 1708
By email: access-to-info@censtatd.gov.hk
The following information, among others, is also available for your inspection :
The disclosure log provides summary descriptions of the nature of information requested and released under the Code by C&SD. The disclosure log is updated on a quarterly basis.
If any member of the public wishes to obtain any information listed in the disclosure log, an information request should be made to our Access to Information Officer. Such requests will be handled in accordance with the Code.
For enquiries relating to the Code and its implementation in C&SD, please call (852) 2582 4068 or email to access-to-info@censtatd.gov.hk.