In view of a report by a Chinese newspaper, which apparently suggested that the ICAC did not support the government's current austerity drive, an ICAC spokesman today stressed that the Commission fully understood the financial stringency facing the govern ment, and would do its best to achieve savings in support of the government's plan to cut public spending.

At the same time, the spokesman said, the ICAC would make every effort to ensure it could maintain the effectiveness of its anti corruption work.

The spokesman noted that the ICAC had fully supported the government's Efficiency Enhancement Programme over the past few years, and had achieved greater efficiency through various cost-saving measures.