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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (May 5):
Question:
With effect from the current term of the Legislative Council, Members of this Council are provided with an end-of-service gratuity and accountable medical allowance. Yet, similar remuneration package is not available to District Council members ("DC members"). In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) whether the Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the District Councils of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("the Independent Commission") has reviewed the remuneration package for DC members of the next term (i.e. 2012 to 2015); if it has, of the details of the provision of medical allowance and end-of-service gratuity to them; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) whether they will consider providing Mandatory Provident Fund coverage to DC members of the next term; if they will, of the details; if not, the principles for that; and
(c) whether the Independent Commission will consider arrangements other than those in (a) and (b) to improve the remuneration package for DC members; if it will, of the details?
Reply:
President,
It has been the established practice to complete the review of the remuneration package of District Council (DC) members before the next DC election, so that candidates are aware of the agreed remuneration package before they decide to take part in the election. Hence, we have already commenced the review of DC members' remuneration package and shall consult the Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the District Councils of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("the Independent Commission") in a timely manner.
We note the new arrangements for medical allowance and end-of-service gratuity for Legislative Council members in the current term. We shall take into account this development as well as the views received from the Independent Commission and DC members in our review, and ensure that the arrangements will meet the needs of changing circumstances.
Ends/Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:34
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