Some advisory bodies are barred by law from holding open meetings, said Secretary for Home Affairs David Lan Hong-tsung. He said these included those dealing with classified and commercially sensitive information as well as personal data. But The Hong Kong Journalists' Association claimed no advisory committees were closed by law and they could be opened tomorrow. There are about 280 advisory bodies, of which more than half hold open meetings. Mr Lan said the Government was transparent. Almost all of the advisory committees issued press releases or held briefings after meetings. All papers, excluding classified and market sensitive information, were available to the public via the Code on Access to Information.