The government will unveil a partial report tomorrow giving details of an accident in which a cleaner was crushed to death by a falling metal gate earlier this month.
It is seen as a retreat by the Development Bureau from its refusal to release the report, in the face of fierce criticism on Tuesday from the family of the victim, Mabel Lim Tjhung Bwee, 42. But it does not satisfy the family, who said last night they were outraged that only part of the report was being provided.
Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the report, compiled by the Architectural Services Department, covered a probe into the accident and improvements in conducting projects. such as installing security gates. The report had been handed to the police.
'The bureau will summarise the factual details of the accident and submit [them] to the Legislative Council panel for discussion next week,' Mrs Lam said.
The bureau said it had legal advice from the Department of Justice that releasing the full report might affect a future Coroner's Court hearing.
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Wing-tat said it was unacceptable for the government to use legal procedures as an excuse to conceal the report. 'We're not asking them to reveal the conclusion ... but it is basic that they announce the factual events,' Mr Lee said, adding that a draft was expected tomorrow.