Tung's ruling awaited on ballroom use

Tung Chee-hwa's office has still to decide on guidelines for the use of the Government House ballroom.

The ballroom will be open from next month to charitable and public organisations to host community events three times a month.

But a special committee from the Chief Executive's Office remains undecided on matters such as which organisations will be eligible.

It is also unclear whether a fee will be levied for groups to use the loss-making house.

The house, with 28 domestic staff, including nine stewards and five chefs, costs taxpayers $700,000 a month to run.

A spokesman for the Community Chest, which has used Government House free of charge for its annual award presentations, said the organisation did not want to pay.