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.