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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (March 1) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Emily Lau Wai-hing, says: ¡°That, noting that the United Nations Human Rights Committee will hold a hearing on March 20 this year to consider the Second Report on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People¡¯s Republic of China in the light of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights submitted last year, this Council urges the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to implement the recommendations that have been and will be made by the Committee.¡±
Hon Tommy Cheung Yu-yan will move an amendment to Hon Emily Lau Wai-hing¡¯s motion.
Members will also debate a motion on development planning for Lantau. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Cheung Hok-ming, states:¡°That, given the slow progress of work since the Government drew up the Concept Plan for Lantau in 2004, this Council urges the Government to expedite the planning study on Lantau and, provided that nature conservation and preservation of historical and cultural heritage are taken into consideration, to expeditiously put the following development directions into effect:
(a) developing in the area theme tour routes which have historical and cultural value and ecological characteristics and which complement existing recreational facilities, so as to develop Lantau into a quality tourism area;
(b) in line with the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and other infrastructural facilities, creating favourable conditions for developing new economic activities in the area; and
(c) completing, as soon as possible, the feasibility study on the construction of a logistics park on Lantau.¡±
Hon Leung Yiu-chung, Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki and Hon Lee Wing-tat will move separate amendments to Hon Cheung Hok-ming¡¯s motion.
On bills, Members will resume Second Reading debates on the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Bill and the Revenue (Profits Tax Exemption for Offshore Funds) Bill 2005. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works will move three resolutions separately under the Public Bus Services Ordinance. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will also propose a resolution under the Public Finance Ordinance to give the Authority a sum not exceeding $55,884,844,000 to be charged on the general revenue for expenditure on the services of the Government in respect of the financial year commencing on April 1, 2006.
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 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 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:19
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