Legco is seeking ways to avoid duplication of work in its complaints system to increase efficiency and ease the workload of members. The body reviewing the system met yesterday to discuss ways of handling possible duplication of effort with the Ombudsman's office. Dr Leong Che-hung, chairman of the sub-committee looking at the Legco Redress System, said they should wait for completion of the Ombudsman's investigations before starting their own. Some members argued the Ombudsman might be slow to handle some complaints, requiring action from the Legco Complaints Division. The sub-committee suggested that Legco should hand prima facie cases to the Ombudsman. It said many complaints were made through different channels before being referred to the redress system. Members were divided on whether Legco should play down publicising the redress system to avoid 'stealing business' from the Ombudsman. Some feared increased publicity might lead to abuse of the system and present legislators with a heavier workload. Some supported publicity to educate the public about the redress system, especially those who needed to use it but did not know how to. Of 996 cases handled by the redress system between July last year and June this year, 333 were classified as complaints, with 95 of these fully resolved. The system handled 110 cases last month.
