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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (February 15) at 11 am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on implementing the recommendations in the Report on Working Poverty by the Subcommittee to Study the Subject of Combating Poverty.
The motion, to be proposed by Hon Frederick Fung, says: "That this Council endorses the Report on Working Poverty by the Subcommittee to Study the Subject of Combating Poverty, and urges the Government to implement the recommendations therein."
Members will also debate a motion on opening up the electricity market. The motion, to be moved by Hon Albert Chan, states: "That, as the electricity market in Hong Kong is currently monopolised by two power companies, prejudicing consumers' interests, this Council demands that the Government implement the following measures to ensure that Hong Kong's electricity market is free from monopoly, so that the people of Hong Kong can enjoy reasonable electricity supply services:
(a) lowering the permitted return allowed to the power companies in respect of their electricity-related operations for each year from the current 13.5% of their average net fixed assets to 7% or below;
(b) strengthening the regulation of power plants to ensure that their operations and emissions comply with the relevant environmental protection standards, and formulating practicable measures to ensure that the power companies actively develop renewable energy;
(c) opening up the electricity market in the coming 10 years, so as to introduce competition and break the current monopoly of Hong Kong's electricity market by the two companies; and
(d) requesting the CLP Power Hong Kong Limited to offer rebates to its customers by the year 2008 using funds from its Development Fund."
Hon Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, Hon Tam Heung-man and Hon Kwong Chi-kin will move separate amendments to Hon Albert Chan's motion.
Members will debate another motion on reducing the salaries tax. The motion, to be moved by Hon Sin Chung-kai, states: "That, in view of the continuous recovery of Hong Kong's economy and the improved government finances, this Council urges the Government to make appropriate use of its resources to provide the grass-roots people with adequate services, and to reduce the salaries tax so as to alleviate the tax burden on the middle class and the grass-roots people, thereby stimulating consumer spending and creating jobs."
Hon James Tien, Hon Chan Kam-lam, Hon Wong Kwok-hing, Dr Hon Fernando Cheung and Hon Tam Heung-man will move separate amendments to Hon Sin Chung-kai's motion.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food will move a resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) Regulation 2006 and the Poisons List (Amendment) Regulation 2006, which were made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on 19 January 2006.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 20 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the Legislative Council web site (http://www.legco.gov.hk).
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Legislative Council Chamber. They may reserve seats by calling 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Ends/Monday, February 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:03
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