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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (November 29) at 11 am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on electing the Legislative Council by universal suffrage.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Lee Cheuk-yan, states: ¡°That this Council considers the year 2012 or before appropriate for electing all Members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage.¡±
Hon Albert Chan will move an amendment to Hon Lee Cheuk-yan¡¯s motion.
Members will also debate a motion on relief measures and compensation policies for the live poultry trades. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Tommy Cheung, says: ¡°That, as the Government is determined to implement central slaughtering of live poultry, which will permanently damage the live poultry trades, this Council urges the Government to expeditiously discuss with the trades to formulate a scheme that enables exit from the trades with reasonable compensation, having regard to the circumstances of live poultry farmers, wholesalers, retailers, transporters and workers; furthermore, prior to the implementation of central slaughtering of live poultry, if there is a need to suspend the import of live poultry and birds from the Mainland in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza there, in order to prevent the trades from being severely hit, this Council urges the Government to introduce the following relief measures:
(a) setting up an emergency relief fund to provide assistance or low interest loans to the trades, so as to tide them over the difficult times;
(b) granting a rent waiver to tenants of the Government¡¯s wholesale and retail markets; and
(c) providing emergency financial assistance to workers who are not employed on a long-term basis.¡±
Meanwhile, Hon Hon Albert Ho will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Protection of Children and Juveniles (Places of Refuge) (Amendment) Order 2006, the Places of Detention (Juvenile Offenders) Appointment (Consolidation) (Amendment) Order 2006, the Probation of Offenders (Approved Institution) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Order 2006, the Reformatory School (Establishment) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Order 2006, the Immigration (Places of Detention) (Amendment) Order 2006 and the Remand Home (Amendment) Rules 2006, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on November 1, 2006, to the meeting of December 20, 2006.
On Government motions, the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels)(General) Regulation and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels)(Safety and Survey) Regulation, which were laid on the table of the Legislative Council on October 11, 2006. The Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works will also move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Waterworks Ordinance (Cap. 102) and the Waterworks Regulations (Cap. 102 sub. leg. A).
Moreover, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move two resolutions under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Banking (Capital) Rules and the Banking (Disclosure) Rules, which were laid on the table of the Legislative Council on November 1, 2006.
In the meantime, Prof Hon Patrick Lau Sau-shing will present the Ocean Park Corporation Annual Report 2005-2006 and address the Council.
During the meeting, Members will also 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 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, November 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:18
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