Henry Fan will take leave of absence from a number of government appointments with immediate effect.

These include his chairmanship on the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries & Conditions of Service and the Advisory Committee on Admission of Quality Migrants & Professionals, and his membership on the Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executive & Politically Appointed Officials, the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee and the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries & Conditions of Service.

The Government said today it has received Mr Fan's written requests and acceded to them.

During Mr Fan's absence Barry Cheung will be Acting Chairman of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries & Conditions of Service, and Lai Kam-tong will be Acting Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Admission of Quality Migrants & Professionals.