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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (May 7) at 11 am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on strengthening the prevention of communicable diseases for children and the elderly.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Andrew Cheng, states: "That, as influenza has been prevalent recently and there is also a possibility that a number of communicable diseases may break out in Hong Kong, and given that children and the elderly are high-risk groups whose health may be more seriously affected by these communicable diseases, this Council urges the Government to strengthen the prevention and control of communicable diseases, expand the coverage of immunisation against such diseases, including providing free influenza vaccination for all elderly people, as well as reviewing the Childhood Immunisation Programme and studying the introduction of new vaccines in the light of the development of communicable diseases and vaccines, so as to reduce the risk of the public being infected with communicable diseases."
Hon Li Kwok-ying and Dr Hon Joseph Lee Kok-long will move separate amendments to Hon Andrew Cheng¡¯s motion.
Members will also debate a motion on implementing co-location of immigration and customs facilities. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Wong Ting-kwong, says: "That this Council urges the SAR Government to step up its cooperation with the Mainland and expeditiously implement the "co-location of immigration and customs facilities" for clearance at the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong International Airport, so as to enhance the efficiency of passenger and freight transport to and from the Mainland, consolidate the position of Hong Kong as a regional aviation and transportation hub and strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong."
Hon Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung will move an amendment to Hon WONG Ting-kwong¡¯s motion.
Meanwhile, Hon Bernard Chan will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment: Requirements for Nutrition Labelling and Nutrition Claim) Regulation 2008, which was laid on the table of the Legislative Council on April 9, 2008, to the meeting of May 28, 2008.
On Government motion, the Secretary for Food and Health will move a resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to approve the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2008 and the Poisons List (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2008, which were made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on April 15, 2008.
On bills, the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2008, the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2008 and the Revenue Bill 2008 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 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. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, May 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:57
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