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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting next Wednesday (May 3) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on maintaining the competitive edge of Hong Kong.
The motion, to be moved by Hon TAM Heung-man, says: "That, as a report on the competitiveness of Chinese cities published earlier indicates that although Hong Kong¡¯s overall competitiveness still ranks first within China, its competitive edge is dwindling, this Council urges the Government to face up to this trend and to:
(a) expeditiously enact a cross-sector fair competition law and set up an independent fair competition commission with real powers to enforce the law;
(b) formulate a comprehensive manpower policy to attract overseas talents to Hong Kong; and to enhance the quality of education in such areas as tertiary education and language education, so as to train up more local professionals with a view to alleviating the pressure of shortage of talents in Hong Kong;
(c) perfect the policy on pollution management with a view to improving the air quality and environment in the territory;
(d) expedite the review of Hong Kong's taxation policy; and
(e) endeavour to protect Hong Kong people¡¯s freedoms in various aspects and uphold the rule of law in Hong Kong,
so as to further enhance Hong Kong¡¯s competitiveness and maintain its competitive edge.¡±
Hon CHAN Yuen-han, Hon Andrew LEUNG Kwan-yuen, Dr Hon YEUNG Sum and Hon CHAN Kam-lam will move separate amendments to Hon TAM Heung-man's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on the 4 June incident. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Albert HO Chun-yan, states: "That, this Council urges that: the 4 June incident be not forgotten and the 1989 pro-democracy movement be vindicated."
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary for Administration will move a resolution under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance to seek the Council's endorsement to appoint Mr Michael McHugh and the Right Honourable Thomas Munro Gault as judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal from other common law jurisdictions pursuant to section 9 of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 484).
The Chief Secretary for Administration will also propose a resolution under the Legal Aid Ordinance to amend the financial eligibility limits of the legal aid applicants.
On bills, Members will resume Second Reading debates on the St. Stephen's College Incorporation (Change of Name of the Council of St. Stephen's College and General Amendments) Bill 2005, the Births, Deaths and Marriages (Digital Image) Bill and the Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) 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.
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/Friday, April 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:17
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