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Legislative Council Panel on Constitutional Affairs
Constitutional Development Task Force
Progress of Work
Introduction
The Constitutional Development Task Force ("the Task Force") informed this Panel on 16 February 2004 of the progress of the Task Force in meeting organizations and individuals (Paper no. CB(2) 1347/03-04(01)). This paper informs Members of the progress of work since 16 February 2004.
Constitutional Development Website and Newspaper Advertisement
In order to facilitate better understanding of, and wider discussion on, the issues of principle and legislative process in the Basic Law relating to constitutional development by the community, the Task Force launched the Constitutional Development Website (the website) on 19 February 2004 (address: www.cab-review.gov.hk). Relevant information on constitutional development, including the Task Force's papers to the Legislative Council and this Panel, were posted onto the website for the public's reference. To enable members of the public to express their views, the relevant issues were set out in the website in the form of 12
specific questions. As at 9 March 2004, the website recorded a total page view of over 68 000.
In addition, the Task Force placed advertisements in 16 local newspapers on 23 February, 1 March and 8 March respectively, to seek public views on the relevant issues of principle and legislative process.
In summary, the Task Force has, since its establishment on 7 January to 10 March 2004, received from the community through various channels more than 400 submissions on issues of principle and legislative process and other views relating to constitutional development.
Meeting Organizations and Individuals
As at 10 March 2004, the Task Force has met a total of 33 meeting sessions with different organizations and individuals (details at Annex A), and has received a total of 32 written submissions during or after the meetings. We understand that the Legislative Council Secretariat have
attached all these submissions at six Panel papers for Members' reference.
From 1 March 2004, copies of written submissions from organizations and individuals that the Task Force has met are deposited at the Public Enquiry Service Centres (PESCs) of five District Offices for public inspection. The five PESCs are at Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Yau Tsim Mong, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan respectively. The material will be updated from time to time. A set of the
submissions is also deposited with the Secretariat of this Panel on the same day.
From 11 March to late March, the Task Force has arranged to meet District Council members of the 18 districts and Election Committee members to listen to their views on the issues of principle and legislative process. The Task Force will continue to meet other organizations and individuals, and expects that this phase of meetings will be completed around the end of March.
Constitutional Development Task Force Secretariat
Constitutional Affairs Bureau
10 March 2004
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