THERE are some apparent misconceptions in Mr Tim Hamlett's letter (South China Morning Post, March 31) which warrant clarification. Since Mr Hamlett confirmed that the three-year figures quoted in the Chairman, Public Service Commission's (PSC) letter (Post, March 28) were the same as his, which he had obtained from the Legislative Council's records, he must therefore have been awarethat these figures were so presented as to answer the Hon Cheung Man-kwong's questions at Legco. The Chairman, PSC merely reproduced these figures because they were readily available. He has not insisted on using huge numbers. It is obvious from the Chairman, PSC's letter on March 28 that the cases dealt with by him under delegated authority, totalling over 3,000 in the past three years, were in addition to and not part of the 3,471 exercises scrutinised by the Commission, as Mr Hamlett thought them to be. My own calculation produces very different weekly averages from those published by Mr Hamlett. However, I do not intend to indulge in any mathematical debate with him and I leave it to anybody who is interested to do his or her own calculation. It would be meaningless to refer to the number of exercises without regard to the fact that each exercise involves detailed examination of a large volume of documents or files ranging from several to hundreds or even thousands, depending on the number ofapplicants for appointment or contenders for promotion. Mr Hamlett has been misinformed if he thinks that Mr Chui is being ''paid twice'' as a retired civil servant and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission. In fact, Mr Chui receives his remuneration for the Chairmanship of the Public Service Commission but not his monthly pension, in accordance with the service-wide policy and practice for retired civil servants holding a public office. Mr Hamlett is welcome to telephone me to clarify any further doubts that he may still have. ANTHONY S. K. CHAN Secretary Public Service Commission
