Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing sought yesterday to allay fears that debate on the airport chaos would be stifled by his commission of inquiry.

Mr Justice Woo warned on Wednesday against further comments on the fiasco, saying they might affect the inquiry's independent judgment.

But yesterday the judge issued a statement responding to criticism of his remarks, saying there was no intention to gag the public and media in speaking on the airport issue.

There had been no attempt to stifle any other inquiry that had been going on or may be held, he said, apparently referring to the separate investigations by the Ombudsman and a Legislative Council select committee.

His remarks had raised fears and worries that the public and the media would not be able to comment on the issue while the inquiry was going on.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Woo said he mentioned the sub judice rule to suggest there should not be any publication that would prejudice the proceedings, 'such as publicly commenting on whether a witness is credible or not, or a certain person or organisation is or should be responsible for a subject matter of the proceedings in other words, prejudicing the merits or issues'.

He said there should be no attempt to deter witnesses from giving evidence or to influence the evidence that they may give.

'There was and can be no attempt to stifle any other inquiry that is ongoing or may be instituted. Nor was or can there be any attempt to gag the media,' he said.

Mr Justice Woo said he appreciated the deep public concern about the problems facing the new airport.

'There is no question of stopping the public including members of the media, from discussing matters about the airport. Indeed any members of the public and the media who made known evidence or complaints may very well assist the inquiry.' A hotline - 2891 7303 - has been set up by the commission to receive complaints from the public that may touch upon the inquiry.

Democrat Lee Wing-tat has asked Legco's legal adviser to look into implications of Mr Justice Woo's remarks on their inquiry.

Legislators from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong have decided to stick to the earlier decision of the House Committee not to proceed with their investigations until after three months.

A former DAB legislator Ip Kwok-him, who acted as secretary of the party caucus, said they were hoping an interim report would be available at that time for them to decide what to do next.

Mr Ip said the priority task now was to give ample time for airport operators and related facilities to put the operation back on track. Secondly, he said they did not want to see duplication of work.