The Government is closely monitoring the latest developments on the appeal filed on the six-month suspension of the court's declarations on covert surveillance and interception of communications, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

He told legislators today the appeal was filed yesterday by the applicant of the judicial review case on the current regime of interception of communications and covert surveillance. The Security Bureau and the Department of Justice are considering if any judicial proceedings need to be taken.

Noting the suspension aims to avoid any legal vacuum brought about by the court's declarations, Mr Lee said law-enforcement agencies' right to intercept communications and conduct covert surveillance is crucial to maintain Hong Kong's law and order.

He stressed the Government has for some time been committed to introducing a new legislative regime to regulate interception of communications and covert surveillance, adding assessment of different court judgments is ongoing.

Mr Lee said the bill will be tabled to the lawmakers in a few weeks. He hopes they can co-operate so the bill can be endorsed as soon as possible, and pledged law-enforcement agencies will abide by the law when conducting covert surveillance and intercepting communications before the bill takes effect.