Deadline extended: Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang says extending the consultation period will give more time for views to be expressed.

The deadline for the Constitutional Development Task Force's third report will be extended by a month to September 30, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang says.

Speaking at a youth focus group discussion on constitutional development today, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said community feedback has called for more time to discuss the report.

The move will give more time for the public, organisations and political groups to make written submissions to the task force "on this vitally important subject for the future of Hong Kong," Mr Tsang said.

Up to today, the Task Force had received more than 140 submissions, and organised 11 forums at which more than 800 people from different sectors, backgrounds, age groups and districts participated.

"The response so far to the third report has been good. Recently, we have also received suggestions that the consultation period be extended to give people a wider opportunity to express their views."

Published in May, the third report sets out areas which may be considered for amendment in selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and the Legislative Council in 2008.

Written submissions can be posted to the Constitutional Development Task Force Secretariat, Constitutional Affairs Bureau, 3/F Main Wing, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, Central, or faxed to 2523 3207, or emailed to views@cab-review.gov.hk. For more information, visit the constitutional development website.