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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting starting from this Wednesday (January 26) at 2.30pm in the Legislative Council Chamber. During the meeting, besides speaking on the "Motion of Thanks", Members will also deal with the business originally scheduled for the Council meeting on 19 January 2005.
The "Motion of Thanks", to be moved by Hon Miriam Lau Kin-yee, says: "That this Council thanks the Chief Executive for his address."
Hon Lee Wing-tat will move an amendment to Hon Miriam LAU Kin-yee's motion.
Moreover, Members will debate a motion on introducing a fair competition law for the oil industries.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Mrs Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, says: "That, as the adjustments of local oil product prices are always quick in going up but slow in coming down and the pace of price adjustments by various oil companies tends to be synchronized, while oil product pump prices often fail to truly reflect import costs, this Council urges the Government to actively consider introducing a fair competition law and other effective measures for the oil industries, including requesting the Competition Policy Advisory Group to take heed of any unfair mode of competition that may emerge in the local oil market, and entrusting the Group to monitor and study the situation, with a view to increasing competition in the oil industries and enhancing the transparency of product prices, thereby avoiding oligopoly, promoting fair competition and safeguarding commercial clients and the public against high oil prices."
Hon Wong Kwok-hing and Hon Fred Li Wah-ming will move separate amendments to Hon Mrs Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee's motion.
Members will also debate a motion proposed by Hon James To Kun-sun on enacting legislation on freedom of information. His motion says: "That this Council urges the HKSAR Government to enact legislation on freedom of information so as to safeguard Hong Kong's freedom of the press and information, and to enhance the transparency and accountability of the HKSAR Government with a view to consolidating the core values of Hong Kong."
Hon Albert Jinghan Cheng, Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing and Hon Margaret Ng will move separate amendments to Hon James To Kun-sun's motion.
Moreover, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food will move a resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek the Council's approval on the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment)(No. 4) Regulation 2004 and the Poisons List (Amendment)(No. 4) Regulation 2004, made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on 28 December 2004.
On bills, the Merchant Shipping (Limitation of Shipowners Liability) (Amendment) Bill 2005 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on this bill will be adjourned.
During the meeting, Hon Miriam Lau Kin-yee will move a resolution under the Rule 91 of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to suspend the Rules 23(2) and 24(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to enable Members to ask, at this Council meeting, the questions scheduled for the Council meeting held on 19 January 2005 but were not asked. These include 6 oral questions and 13 written questions.
In addition, Members will ask the Government another 19 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 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, January 24, 2005
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