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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (December 19) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on applying for the inscription of "Hong Kong style cafes culture" as "intangible cultural heritage of humanity".
The motion, to be proposed by Hon Choy So-yuk, says: "That, as Hong Kong style cafes are commonplace eateries which originated from Hong Kong, and with the mobility of population and spread of culture, Hong Kong style cafes are prevalent among the Chinese communities around the world, this Council urges the Government to recognise the unique local culture of such cafes, assign a designated department to compile an inventory as well as a database of "intangible cultural heritage", including Hong Kong style cafes, and actively pursue with the State's Ministry of Culture the application for the inscription of Hong Kong style cafes as "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; this will not only help promote and develop local culture, establish in the international community Hong Kong's positive image of preserving its local culture and boost the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry, but will also be conducive to enhancing the culture of such cafes and the catering business."
Hon Tommy Cheung will move an amendment to Hon Choy So-yuk's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on establishing a geological park in the eastern part of the New Territories. The motion, to be moved by Hon Cheung Hok-ming, states: "That, as the eastern part of the New Territories has a unique geological environment but the SAR Government does not attach much importance to it, this Council urges the Government to put forward proactive conservation proposals and improve the planning of this area, so as to develop the eastern part of the New Territories into a geological park of conservation, science popularisation and tourism value, as well as to make recommendation to the Central Government to strive for its grading as a national geological park and apply to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for its listing as a world geological park."
Hon Audrey Eu will move an amendment to Hon Cheung Hok-ming's motion.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Food and Health will move a resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment)(No. 5) Regulation 2007 and the Poisons List (Amendment)(No. 5) Regulation 2007, made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on November 22, 2007.
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will also move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Securities and Futures (Contracts Limits and Reportable Positions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 2007, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on October 31, 2007.
On bills, Legislative Council (Amendment) Bill 2007 and Prevention and Control of Disease Bill will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on the bills will be adjourned.
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 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, December 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:13
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