Tsang also defended Thursday his plan to build a grandiose fish pond to house his precious collection of koi carp at the colonial mansion on Upper Albert Road at the cost of HK$300,000, saying it would add a touch of Chinese decorum to the mansion, a symbol of British colonialism.

Tsang launched the defense of his plans after Frontier legislator Emily Lau, who chairs Legco's Finance Committee, accused the chief executive of attempting to bypass Legco over the mansion's renovation expenses by dividing the total cost of HK$14.5 million into three accounts of less than HK$10 million, meaning the funding will not need legislators' approval.

Lau also renewed calls for Tsang to pay for the fish pond himself, branding the cost too expensive.

However, Tsang - a well-known fish fancier - insisted the construction was an appropriate move because former occupants had also made changes to cater for their respective tastes and interests, including a swimming pool by former governor Sir Murray MacLehose, a Chinese pavilion by former governor Lord David Wilson and a pagoda-turned bedroom by the last governor Chris Patten.

``Because of the renovation, I propose that there should be a fish pond, and the architects also agree that my proposal fits into the new design.

``Besides, I think future residents of the Government House will be Chinese. It's appropriate for such a large mansion to have a fish pond,'' he said.

Tsang also denied allegations that he intends to evade Legco's scrutiny over the renovation cost by splitting the sum into three smaller accounts, saying that - even if adding up all the sub-totals - the total cost of HK$14.5 million was still smaller than the HK$15 million required for Legco's approval for renovation and refurbishment of any government buildings.

Given the fact that the mansion has not been renovated since 1993, and that part of it will be turned into an office for him and his 90 staff, Tsang argued the budget was economical.

``I regard it as my duty to move into Government House and we are doing it as economically, but as suitably, as possible during the renovation process and we are not bypassing anyone,'' Tsang said. ``The usual renovation work, which will have to be carried out whether or not I move into it, will cost HK$5 million.

``The additional expenditure in converting rooms into offices and so on, and redecorating after eight years of non-use, will cost about HK$9.5 million.

``So, altogether, it's slightly less than HK$15 million, which is a requirement for submission for specific approval by the Finance Committee. We are doing it exactly according to the rules. We are not trying to bypass anyone.''

The 150-year-old colonial mansion, which housed 25 British governors, will be turned into the official residence for the chief executive and offices for Tsang and his staff.

The government has argued that the building has to be redone to provide Tsang and his staff with a ``respectable and presentable'' environment that will meet up-to-date communication, security and safety requirements.

Expenditure is to include HK$7.3 million to replace the floor of the residence, convert staff quarters into offices and install electrical and cabling systems, HK$2.2 million for a new telecommunication network and HK$5 million to renovate the residence area and upgrade its security system.

Of that, HK$9.5 million will be absorbed by the Chief Executive's Office, while the remaining HK$5 million is to be treated as general expenditure under the heading of refurbishment of government buildings.

The Standard reported earlier that eavesdropping devices had been discovered throughout Government House during renovation work - and this was the main reason why former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa refused to live there, rather than his claim that the fung shui was bad.

But it is unknown whether anti-spying technology will be installed as the Chief Executive's Office declined to comment on security matters.

The renovation is expected to be completed in November and Tsang is expected to move in at a later date.

The renovation of the residential area will cover ventilation, carpeting, draperies, built-in furniture and sanitary fittings, while that for the office areas will include partitioning and sound-proofing, carpeting and improved electrical, electronic, audio-visual and access-control installations.

The British-style mansion, built in 1855, was turned into a tourist attraction and a guest reception venue in 1997 because Tung refused to move in.