Press Release
 
 

 Email this articleGovernment Homepage

National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill to be introduced into LegCo

******************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (February 26) at 2.30 pm in the Legislative Council Chamber. During the meeting, National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings.

The bill aims to amend the Crimes Ordinance, the Official Secrets Ordinance and the Societies Ordinance pursuant to the obligation imposed by Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and to provide for related, incidental and consequential amendments.

Second reading debate on the bill will be adjourned.

Meanwhile, Members will debate a motion on the Compendium of Submissions on the Consultation Document on Proposals to Implement Article 23 of the Basic Law.

The motion, to be moved by Hon SIN Chung-kai, says "That this Council condemns the authorities for compiling the Compendium of Submissions in respect of the enactment of laws to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law in a slipshod, incomplete and inequitable manner, distorting the views expressed by the public and organizations, and urges the authorities to commission an independent organization to analyze and summarize the views expressed by the public on the various proposals in the Consultation Document and to ensure that public opinions are fully and properly reflected and addressed."

Hon Howard YOUNG and Dr Hon YEUNG Sum will move amendments to the motion separately.

Members will also debate a motion on opposing cutbacks in welfare benefits. The motion, to be proposed by Hon WONG Sing-chi, states "That this Council opposes cutbacks in welfare benefits for the elderly, the vulnerable and the disabled."

Hon James TO will move a motion under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to repeal the Ocean Park Bylaw, which was laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 15 January 2003.

During the meeting, the Legislative Council (Amendment) Bill 2003 and Dr Hon David LI's Dao Heng Bank Limited (Merger) Bill will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on these two bills will be adjourned.

Members will also resume Second Reading debate on the Dutiable Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2002 and the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2001.

If the above 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 also ask the Government 19 questions on various policy areas, five of which require oral replies.

The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568), and the LegCo web site (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.

End/Monday, February 24, 2003

NNNN


Email this article