Survey shows slower growth in paper trail

Government files could fill a shelf stretching from Central to Guangzhou and back - almost twice - a survey has found.

However, the findings have been hailed as a success for the Government because a 1994 survey predicted that without strong measures the files would by now have made the return trip nearly three times.

The figures show that as of October last year the Government had files taking up 450.6km of shelf space, measured stacked upright as in a normal shelf, and has kept growth down to about one per cent a year. 'Naturally, we feel quite happy with this,' said Kwan Chung-kat, a senior executive officer in the administration wing.

Citizens' Party legislator and freedom of information campaigner Christine Loh Kung-wai said: 'There's a bit more now than there was then - but it doesn't feel like an incredible difference. I have always asked whether a lot of restricted documents really need to be.' The figures show the number of restricted files, the lowest security level, have risen 34 per cent since April 1994.

Based on an average of 40 files per metre, it means the Government now holds an average of two open and one restricted file per head of population.

All files at the higher security levels of confidential, secret and top secret, have been surveyed together. These 1.3 million higher-security files alone would stretch from Central to Tuen Mun, with an average of one higher-security file per six residents.