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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 16) at 2.30pm in the Chamber of the Legislative Council. During the meeting, the Financial Secretary intends to present the Appropriation Bill 2005 and the estimates of expenditure for the year ending March 31, 2006, to the Council.

    The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move a resolution under the Public Finance Ordinance to resolve that the Authority is given for a sum not exceeding $56,857,786,000 to be charged on the general revenue for expenditure on the services of the Government in respect of the financial year commencing on April 1, 2005.

    Moreover, Members will continue debating a motion on defending sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands proposed by Hon Lee Wing-tat at the last council meeting. The motion says: "That this council strongly protests against the Japanese Government's unlawful occupation of the Diaoyutai Islands which are within the territory of our country, and urges our government and people to defend our sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands."

    During the meeting, Members will also 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), and the LegCo web site (www.legco.gov.hk).

    People 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 14, 2005

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