***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (December 6) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on promoting the development of party politics.
The motion, to be proposed by Hon Margaret Ng, says: "That this Council urges the Government to expeditiously initiate studies and public consultation with a view to promoting law reforms, public policies and measures that are conducive to the development of party politics."
000
Dr Hon Philip Wong will move an amendment to Hon Margaret Ng's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on strengthening Hong Kong's capability in immediate transhipment. The motion, to be moved by Hon Chan Kam-lam, states: "That, in order to tie in with the National 11th Five-Year Plan and promote the continuous development of the local logistics industry, this Council urges the Government to take proactive measures in the aspects of policy, transportation network, infrastructure and information system, with a view to strengthening Hong Kong's capability in immediate transhipment, including:
0
0(a) in the policy aspect, supporting the development of immediate transhipment, such as formulating a comprehensive plan for logistics development, implementing the co-location of immigration and customs facilities at the Hong Kong airport and striving to reduce various operating costs of the logistics industry;
00
(b) in the aspect of transportation network, enhancing the efficiency of immediate transhipment, such as increasing the number of flight movements at the airport, formulating policies on the air traffic management of the Pearl River Delta region and perfecting the land transportation network;
0(c) in the aspect of infrastructure, augmenting the throughput of immediate transhipment, such as expeditiously constructing the third runway at the airport, Container Terminal 10 and the Liantang Control Point; and
0(d) in the aspect of information system, optimizing immediate transhipment services, such as establishing a common electronic platform for customs clearance at the Pan-Pearl River Delta ("PPRD") region,
so as to seize the opportunities brought about by the economic development of the PPRD and strengthen the position of Hong Kong's logistics industry."
0
Hon Sin Chung-kai and Hon Lee Wing-tat will move separate amendments to Hon Chan Kam-lam﷿s motion.
0
On bills, Members will resume Second Reading debate on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2006. If the bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
During the meeting, Members will ask the Government 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 website (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. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, December 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:10
NNNN
