Like many other jurisdictions where privacy law has been enacted for a period of time, Hong Kong faces the need for a higher level of personal data privacy protection and stronger legislative sanction to properly address the privacy impact brought about by technological advancements.

In Australia, the Law Reform Commission issued a discussion paper titled 'Review of the Australian Privacy Law: An Overview', in September 2007.

In Canada, a Fourth Report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethnics on 'Statutory Review of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act', was submitted to parliament for consideration in May 2007. In New Zealand, the Law Reform Commission of New Zealand has also embarked on a phased project entailing the review of the Privacy Act 1993 with a view to updating it as a result of emerging technology. I can cite more examples to illustrate the point that privacy authorities around the world do consider the law relating to data protection is at an evolutionary stage.

It is my responsibility to protect personal data privacy rights as defined in the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. In performing my role, I am obliged to balance the benefits to the society at large and the degree of intrusion that the activities have on personal data privacy of individuals. Mr Raitt is right in saying that personal data held for domestic or recreational purposes is exempt from the provisions of the data protection principles of the privacy law. However, the selling of unlawfully obtained personal data is a different matter.

The views of the public will be widely sought before my proposal goes any further.

Roderick B. Woo, Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data

Scheme will aid deprived areas

I refer to the report ('Pilot scheme to fund neighbouring nannies', March 6).

After the recent tragic events in Tin Shui Wai, I was really excited to learn about this new pilot programme, launched by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, which means that 'needy parents who hire neighbours to take care of their children will be subsidised from the middle of this year'. I think many people will greatly appreciate this programme.

Through this scheme, the government is helping to revitalise deprived areas of Hong Kong, which is what a responsible government should do. It will offer some relief to people with financial problems. Many people, including students, have discussed the problems these areas face, in letters to these columns, on television programmes and in public discussion forums.

Now, the authorities are actually acting. I see this as a first step and I hope there will be further initiatives in the near future.

Achieving success in these matters is not easy, but I think we can deal with the problems these areas face, if we all work together.

Tiffany Chan, Lam Tin

Pass the sick note Donald

There is absolutely no reason why Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who was off work on Tuesday, should be excused from presenting a medical certificate explaining his absence ('Tsang takes day off with stomach upset', March 12).

Mr Tsang cited stomach upset as the reason for his absence from the Executive Council meeting.

However, the Office of the Chief Executive told the media that Mr Tsang did not need to visit a doctor.

As an ordinary citizen whose absence from work has always got to be satisfactorily explained, one cannot help but wonder how Mr Tsang could get away with just a statement to the press which contained an opinion that his condition was such that he did not require any medical attention.

Albert Wong, Ap Lei Chau

Falling behind mainland

Peter Lok ('Reasons behind mother tongue', February 29), needs to understand that Hong Kong students are losing ground quickly to their mainland compatriots in the area of English education.

As the English level of upper form students in Hong Kong continues to drop, the mainland is pushing English aggressively.

It may have been common when Mr Lok went to university a while ago but now English does not appear to be the mode of instruction at Hong Kong universities. I have struggled to find postgraduate programmes that are taught in English.

My wife took a postgraduate programme and the professor refused to speak English, though English was listed as the mode of instruction. What is Mr Lok's reasoning for not wanting schools to have the authority to choose to use mother tongue or not?

Do I want a government agency deciding or professionally-trained teachers on the front line making this choice? Ideally it should be both working together but under our current system, I would prefer the latter.

C. Gibson, Sha Tin

Backing slogan

I refer to the letter from Gerard Crawford ('Zero accident rate unrealistic', February 28), on a government road safety campaign.

As he rightly states there are many factors that will influence the number of accidents in any country. However, I believe the government is trying to educate drivers to think before they act in an irresponsible manner when driving a vehicle.

On the subject of stupid slogans I am amazed that none of the local press picked up on the slogan in the Legco by-election by Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who stated that she would do better than her best. This is an impossibility as the best that you can do is the best, it cannot be bettered.

John Ford, Discovery Bay

Bleak future

Pollution in Hong Kong has got worse over the last few years, mainly caused by factories and cars.

Some people predict it will get worse and more people will fall sick, as a consequence. We are all responsible for this state of affairs and there are things we can do to try and reduce pollution levels.

We should, where possible, avoid using cars and take public transport. We could also try and reduce the number of times we use planes.

The government should also urge factories to try and take part in environmentally-friendly programmes and reduce their emission levels.

If we really want to save the environment, we have got to take action now.

Wing Lau, The Peak