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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (March 24) at 2.30pm in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on combating crimes relating to automatic teller machine cards and credit cards.
The motion, to be proposed by Hon LAU Kong-wah, says: "That, as the numbers of automatic teller machine frauds and credit card thefts are rising continuously and such crimes are committed in many varied ways, dealing a heavy blow to the public's confidence in electronic banking services and to Hong Kong's tourist and retail industries, this Council urges the Government to adopt the following measures to secure the confidence of the public and tourists in using electronic banking services:
(a) deploy sufficient resources and strengthen co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies to enhance its capability to investigate and combat such crimes;
(b) extensively publicize the ways in which such crimes are committed to enhance the alertness and vigilance of the public and tourists; and
(c) actively explore, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, banks and other card-issuing institutions, the introduction of products of new technology with more sophisticated security features to safeguard the interests of users."
Members will also debate a motion on conservation of monuments and heritage. The motion, to be moved by Hon CHAN Kwok-keung, states: "That this Council urges the Government to expeditiously revise the relevant policies upon completion of the consultation on the Review of Built Heritage Conservation Policy; as it takes time to revise the policies, in order to prevent the monuments and heritage from destruction or demolition in the interim, the Government should provide incentives to encourage owners to retain, repair and maintain the built heritage that has conservation value; furthermore, in addition to retaining their intrinsic characteristics, the Government should consider enriching the built heritage with economic values such as to tourism and entertainment, thereby promoting local community economy that has cultural characteristics and creating job opportunities."
On bills, the Merchant Shipping (Security of Ships and Port Facilities) Bill and the Airport Authority (Amendment) Bill 2004 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the Bills will be adjourned. During the meeting, Members will resume Second Reading debate on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2003. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
On Members' Bills, the Professional Accountants (Amendment) Bill 2004, introduced by Dr Hon Eric LI Ka-cheung; and the Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (Merger) Bill, introduced by Dr Hon David LI Kwok-po, will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move a resolution under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to amend the Schedule 1 to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology will move another resolution under the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 to seek approval of the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 (Amendment) Notice 2004, made by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology on March 3, 2004.
Hon Miriam LAU will also move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Certification and Licensing) Regulation and the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (Typhoon Shelters) Regulation, which were laid on the table of the Legislative Council on March 3, 2004, to the meeting of April 21, 2004.
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.
Ends/Monday, March 22, 2004
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