Government wavering over the drafting of phone-tapping and mail interception laws angered legislators yesterday.
Deputy Secretary for Security Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai told a meeting of Legco's information policy and security panels no deadline had been set for a decision on regulating the interception of communications.
Security panel chairman James To Kun-sun threatened to propose a motion next month condemning the Government for current arrangements. Law enforcement officers apply to the Governor for warrants to tap phones or open mail but the Law Reform Commission has recommended the power be handed to a judge.
Information policy panel chairman Emily Lau Wai-hing said time was running out and the administration should submit the bill for Legco scrutiny.
'This is a highly sensitive issue. If the bill is passed, the administration may have to disclose the number of buggings they do each month,' she said. Ms Lau said Mr Patten, who had vowed to address all human rights and press freedom issues, should resolve the matter.
But Ip Kwok-him of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong said Legco should not rush through legislation as it was a complicated issue.
