*********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (November 23) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building.
During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on enhancing economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and the Pan-Pearl River Delta region. The motion, to be moved by Hon Chan Kam-lam, says: ˇ§That, as the cooperation among the Hong Kong SAR, nine Mainland provinces/region and the Macao SAR in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (ˇ§PPRDˇ¨) region is expanding, this Council urges the Hong Kong SAR Government to firmly grasp this opportunity to vigorously enhance the economic and trade cooperation with the various provinces/region in the PPRD region, further implement and develop the PPRD Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement, explore measures to deepen the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement in the region, and to simplify the procedures to promote investments by Mainland enterprises in Hong Kong, so as to upgrade and transform Hong Kongˇ¦s service-based economy after integrating with the Mainlandˇ¦s manufacturing industry and create more job opportunities locally; at the same time, this Council also urges the Hong Kong SAR Government to relax the visa requirement for travellers under the Individual Visit Scheme, so as to facilitate Mainland residents to come to Hong Kong for leisure travel and business, thereby promoting the development of the two places and creating a win-win situation that brings about mutual benefits.ˇ¨
Hon Albert Ho Chun-yan will move an amendment to Hon Chan Kam-lamˇ¦s motion.
Members will also debate a motion on policy on inheritance of ˇ§dai pai dongˇ¨ culture. The motion, to be moved by Hon Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, says: ˇ¨That this Council urges the Government to look squarely at the concept of cultural inheritance and affirm the historical value of street side ˇ§dai pai dongsˇ¨, review the licensing policy for ˇ§dai pai dongsˇ¨ in order that they can complement the tourism development plans and, at the same time, assist the operators of ˇ§dai pai dongsˇ¨ in identifying suitable sites to continue their operation in compliance with the environmental hygiene and safety requirements, so that this traditional culinary culture can thrive.ˇ¨
Hon Chan Yuen-han and Hon Fred Li Wah-ming will move separate amendments to Hon Tommy Cheung Yu-yanˇ¦s motion respectively.
Meanwhile, Members will debate a motion to adjourn the Council for the purpose of debating the security and public order issues of the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Miriam Lau Kin-yee, says: "That this Council do now adjourn for the purpose of debating the following issue: Security and public order issues relating to the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.ˇ¨
Hon Tsang Yok-sing will also propose a resolution under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peopleˇ¦s Republic of China to amend the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
In addition, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food will move a resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek the Councilˇ¦s approval on the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment)(No.3) Regulation 2005 and the Poisons List (Amendment)(No.3) Regulation 2005 made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on 31 October 2005.
During the meeting, Members will ask the Government 19 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, November 21, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:01
NNNN
