The Government received 592 requests for information under the Code on Access to Information in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Of these, 93.4% were met, either in full (540 requests) or in part (13). Only 11 requests were refused. The remaining 28 requests included withdrawals by applicants and requests being processed.

The Home Affairs Bureau said it shows that Government departments have been applying the code properly to the general satisfaction of the members of the public concerned

Since the code's introduction in March, 1995, the Government has received 14,943 requests in total. Of these, 90.1% were met, either in full (13,149) or in part (312). Only 277 requests were refused.

The other 1,205 requests included those referred to other organisations or withdrawn, and requests being processed.

Ombudsman accepts complaints

Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with a department's response under the Code may ask that a more senior officer review the matter. After that review, if the person still thinks the department has not complied with the code, he or she may complain to the Ombudsman.