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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (November 30) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on preventing avian influenza.
The motion, to be proposed by Hon Fred LI, says: "That, as cases of avian influenza have successively occurred in many countries, in order to guard against the recurrence of an avian influenza outbreak in Hong Kong and prevent human infections of avian influenza, this Council urges the Government to consider establishing, as early as possible, a steering group led by the Chief Executive to combat the pandemic, to set up a fund to defray the expenditure in this regard, to enhance the preventive efforts by strengthening influenza vaccination and public education on influenza prevention, etc, to expeditiously introduce a trial scheme on regional slaughtering after putting in place proper arrangements for compensating the live poultry trade and assisting affected trade operators to switch their business or jobs, and to further improve the sanitary conditions in farms as well as live poultry and birds wholesale and retail outlets."
Hon WONG Yung-kan and Hon Vincent FANG Kang will move separate amendments to Hon Fred LI's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on conducting a referendum on the full implementation of elections by universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008. The motion, to be moved by Hon LEUNG Kwok-hung, states: "That this Council requests the Central Government to arrange for all Members of the Legislative Council to visit Beijing so that Members can truly reflect to it the public opinions in Hong Kong on the dual elections by universal suffrage, and urges the Hong Kong SAR Government to conduct a referendum on the selection of the Chief Executive and the election of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008 respectively; furthermore, this Council appeals to all the people of Hong Kong to stand out against the Fifth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force on 4 December this year, so as to demonstrate once again their determination to fight for elections by universal suffrage.กจ
On bills, Members will resume Second Reading on the Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2005. 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.
St.Stephen's College Incorporation (Change of Name of the Council of St.Stephen's College and General Amendments) Bill 2005 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on the bill will be adjourned.
Meanwhile, Hon Tommy CHEUNG will address the Council on Harmful Substances in Food (Amendment) Regulation 2005, which is subsidiary legislation laid on the Table of the Council on 12 October 2005.
Members will ask the Government 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, November 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:47
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