The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (January 11) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.  During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on expectations for the next Chief Executive.

     The motion, moved by Mr Kwok Wai-keung, states: "That Hong Kong has suffered from continuous internal attrition due to political wrangling since the reunification, thus society can hardly focus on livelihood and economic issues, resulting in stagnant development; the great challenges to the edge of the traditional pillar industries and slow development of the emerging industries have caused the local industrial structure to be homogenous and hollowed out; the high land-price policy, which has given rise to the dominance of the real estate industry and rampant property speculation, has resulted in rents being exorbitant, hindering diversified economic development; the Government lacks determination to improve labour rights and interests and is unable to change the situation of 'strong capitalists and weak workers'; in this connection, this Council expects the next Chief Executive to extensively solicit advice for building social consensus, safeguard the country's sovereignty, fully implement 'one country, two systems', and initiate constitutional reform, so as to lead Hong Kong out of the stalemate of political wrangling; the next Chief Executive should also focus his/her strength on developing the economy, improving people's livelihood, and striving to improve labour rights and interests, so as to bring Hong Kong back to the track of prosperity and stability."

     Mr Christopher Cheung, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Leung Yiu-chung, Mr Nathan Law, Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Mr Alvin Yeung and Ms Starry Lee will move separate amendments to Mr Kwok Wai-keung's motion.

     Mr Leung Yiu-chung will move a motion on striving to make sign language an official language of Hong Kong.  The motion states: "That, as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention) has been in force in Hong Kong since August 31, 2008, in which Article 21 states that States Parties shall '[r]ecogniz[e] and promot[e] the use of sign language', Article 24 states that States Parties shall '[f]acilitat[e] the learning of sign language and the promotion of the linguistic identity of the deaf community', and Article 30 states that '[p]ersons with disabilities shall be entitled, on an equal basis with others, to recognition and support of their specific cultural and linguistic identity, including sign languages and deaf culture', this Council urges the Government to fulfil its obligations under the Convention to step up the promotion of sign language, so as to create a truly inclusive society; the relevant measures should include:

     (1) implementing the designation of sign language as an official language;

     (2) stepping up the promotion of sign language in primary and secondary schools;

     (3) requiring the provision of sign language interpretation for television news broadcasts; and

     (4) providing sign language training for staff of all government departments and public organisations to ensure that the departments and organisations concerned provide adequate sign language interpretation service for persons with disabilities."

     Mr Frankie Yick and Dr Lo Wai-kwok will each move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance.  Mr Frankie Yick will move a proposed resolution to extend the period for amending the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) (Amendment) Regulation 2016 and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Safety and Survey) (Amendment) Regulation 2016 laid on the table of the Council on December 14, 2016 to the meeting of February 8, 2017.  Dr Lo Wai-kwok will move a proposed resolution to extend the period for amending the Construction Workers Registration (Exemption) Regulation and the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 1A) Notice 2016 laid on the table of the Council on December 14, 2016 to the meeting of February 8, 2017.

     Ms Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure.  The motion states: "That this Council takes note of Report No.8/16-17 of the House Committee laid on the table of the Council on January 11, 2017 in relation to the Marine Parks (Designation) (Amendment) Order 2016."

     On bill, the Arbitration and Mediation Legislation (Third Party Funding) (Amendment) Bill 2016 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading.  The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk).  Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo Website.

     Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.  They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also watch or listen the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.

Ends/Monday, January 9, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:15

NNNN