LegCo to debate non-local pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong
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    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (January 10) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on non-local pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong.

     The motion, to be proposed by Dr Hon Joseph Lee Kok-long, says: " That, as the number of non-local pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong has multiplied in recent years, public hospital services are so overloaded that local pregnant women are unable to receive the public health care services to which they are entitled, and Hong Kong's health care services, population, education, housing, social welfare, etc are also adversely affected, this Council urges the Government to expeditiously formulate feasible and effective policies and measures to re-allocate public resources, so as to resolve the problems brought about by non-local pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong."

     Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki and Hon Andrew Cheng will move separate amendments to Dr Hon Joseph Lee Kok-long's motion.

     Members will also debate a motion on enhancing the efficacy of the management of public finances. The motion, to be moved by Hon Tam Heung-man, states: "That this Council urges the Government, when drawing up the 2007-2008 Budget, to continue to uphold the principle of fiscal prudence whereby expenditure and savings are effected as necessary, strive to enhance the efficacy of the management of public finances, explicitly stipulate the appropriate level of fiscal reserves, and explore how the fiscal surplus in 2006-2007 can be returned to the people through various feasible measures."

     Hon Sin Chung-kai and Hon Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung will move separate amendments to Hon Tam Heung-man's motion.

     During the meeting, Members will ask the Government 19 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, January 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:03

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