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

The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (April 9) at 2:30 pm in the Legislative Council Chamber. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2003 will continue and Government officials will speak on the Bill.

If the Bill receives its Second Reading, Hon James TO and Hon Emily LAU will move three resolutions separately under Rule 69(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to amend the Bill at its Committee Stage.

Hon James TO's proposed resolutions: "Resolved that head 122 be reduced by $58,500,000 in respect of subhead 000."; and "Resolved that head 122 be reduced by $85,000,000 in respect of subhead 103". The proposed resolution to be moved by Hon Emily LAU: "Resolved that head 144 be reduced by $11,220,000 in respect of subhead 000."

The Construction Industry Levy (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2003; Education (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2003; Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2003; Revenue Bill 2003 and Revenue (No. 2) Bill 2003 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debates on these bills will be adjourned.

On Members' Bills, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Incorporation (Amendment) Bill 2002 will also be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on this bill will be adjourned. Second Reading debate on the Bank of East Asia, Limited (Merger of Subsidiaries) Bill will resume. If this bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.

DR Hon YEUNG Sum will move a resolution under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance which "Resolves that this Council appoints a select committee to investigate:

(a) whether the purchase of a personal vehicle by the Financial Secretary before the adjustments to the motor vehicle first registration tax constitutes a breach of clauses 1.2(6) and 1.2(7) of the Code for Principal Officials under the Accountability System, namely, "Principal officials shall observe the highest standards of personal conduct and integrity at all times" and "Principal officials shall ensure that no actual or potential conflict arises between their public duties and their private interests";

(b) whether any person suggested amending those parts of the minutes of the Executive Council meeting held on 5 March 2003 relating to the declaration of interests regarding the purchase of personal vehicles by those who had attended the meeting; and

(c) whether the Government has provided this Council with complete and truthful information on the discussions at the Executive Council meeting(s) relating to the declaration of interests in the purchase of personal vehicles; and that in the performance of its duties the committee be authorized under section 9(2) of the Legislative Council (Power and Privileges) Ordinance to exercise the powers conferred by section 9(1) of that Ordinance."

Hon Audrey EU will move another resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Public Revenue Protection (Revenue) Order 2003, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 12 March 2003, to the meeting of the 30 April 2003.

Meanwhile, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology will move a motion under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Import and Export (Removal of Articles)(Amendment) Regulation 2003 and the Reserved Commodities (Control of Imports, Exports and Reserve Stocks)(Amendment) Regulation 2003, which laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 19 February 2003.

During the meeting, Members will ask the Government 20 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written replies.

The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the Legislative Council website (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.

End/Monday, April 7, 2003

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