LegCo to debate motion on taking forward the follow-up tasks of the co-location arrangement at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link
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The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (October 25) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on taking forward the follow-up tasks of the co-location arrangement at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.
The motion, moved by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, states: "Regarding the arrangement for conducting Hong Kong and Mainland customs, immigration and quarantine procedures (the co-location arrangement) at the West Kowloon Station of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), this Council supports the Government in taking forward the follow-up tasks of the co-location arrangement pursuant to the 'Three-step Process' proposal announced on July 25, 2017, including reaching a Co-operation Arrangement with the Mainland, seeking the approval and endorsement of the Co-operation Arrangement by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress through a decision to be made by the Standing Committee, as well as commencing the local legislative process thereafter, so as to meet the target of implementing the co-location arrangement at the West Kowloon Station upon the commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL in the third quarter of 2018, with a view to fully unleashing the transport, social and economic benefits of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL and maximising convenience to passengers."
Ms Claudia Mo, Ms Tanya Chan, Mr Jeremy Tam, Mr Dennis Kwok, Mr Alvin Yeung, Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Dr Fernando Cheung, Mr Wu Chi-wai and Mr Chu Hoi-dick will move separate amendments to the Secretary for Transport and Housing's motion.
In addition, the Secretary for the Environment will move a proposed resolution under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance to approve the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order 2017, made by the Secretary for the Environment on May 2.
The Secretary for Home Affairs will move a proposed resolution under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance to approve the Legal Aid in Criminal Cases (Amendment) Rules 2017, made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee on May 2.
On Members' motions, Ms Claudia Mo will move a motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion states: "That this Council, in accordance with Article 79(7) of the Basic Law, censures Dr Hon Junius Ho for misbehaviour and breach of oath under Article 104 of the Basic Law (details as particularised in the Schedule to this motion)."
Mr Jimmy Ng will move a motion on establishing a comprehensive "re-industrialisation" policy regime. The motion states: "That given the new opportunities brought about by global reforms in industrial technologies, many countries or places are proactively developing high value-added advanced manufacturing industries, and Hong Kong is no exception; the Government has already made it clear that re-industrialisation is a potential new area of economic growth for Hong Kong, and announced the establishment of a committee on innovation, technology and re-industrialisation; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to conduct a timely review and elevate the positioning of the 're-industrialisation' policy, with a view to upgrading the existing industrial policy regime led by innovation and technology to a comprehensive industrial policy regime which is more independent, forward-looking and systematic; the Government should also examine the role of industries in the local economic structure and societal development, and study the 'external development' feature of Hong Kong's industries, with the aim of providing tax support for those offshore Hong Kong manufacturers engaging in manufacturing and production industries, thereby consolidating the economic foundation of Hong Kong and promoting the diversification of industries."
Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Kenneth Leung, Dr Chiang Lai-wan, Mr Wu Chi-wai, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Charles Mok and Mr Jeremy Tam will move separate amendments to Mr Jimmy Ng's motion.
Mr Ho Kai-ming will move a motion on conducting a comprehensive review of labour legislation to improve labour rights and interests. The motion states: "That this Council urges the Government to make safeguarding labour rights and interests its priority task and expeditiously conduct a comprehensive review of and make amendments to the various legislation relating to labour matters, so as to ensure that such legislation keeps pace with the times."
Mr Luk Chung-hung, Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Dr Helena Wong and Mr Andrew Wan will move separate amendments to Mr Ho Kai-ming's motion.
Meanwhile, the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2017 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 to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.
Ends/Monday, October 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:10
Issued at HKT 19:10
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