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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday (October 17) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on franchised bus fares.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Lee Wing-tat, states: "That, as a franchised bus operator has recently applied to the Transport Department for a substantial fare increase of 9%, which is far beyond public affordability, this council urges the Government to reject the application and adopt measures, including:
(a) in applying the Modified Basket of Factors approach, taking the outcome of the fare adjustment formula and public affordability as primary factors for consideration, while other factors should be supplementary and secondary ones;
(b) allowing the Legislative Council to activate the fare adjustment mechanism so as to safeguard public interest;
(c) requesting the franchised bus companies to provide more comprehensive sectional fares and bus-bus interchange concessions;
(d) discussing with the franchised bus companies the introduction of one-day and monthly ticket schemes for buses;
(e) designating Sundays and public holidays as free-ride days for the elderly; and
(f) introducing half-fare concessions for people with disabilities, with a view to ensuring that franchised bus fares are within public affordability, and promoting the participation of the socially disadvantaged in the community."
Hon Miriam Lau, Hon Wong Kwok-hing and Hon Cheung Hok-ming will move separate amendments to Hon Lee Wing-tat's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on the development of the convention and exhibition industry. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, says: "That, as the convention and exhibition industry brings about enormous direct and indirect economic benefits to Hong Kong every year, and the Mainland, Macao and many Southeast Asian cities have built or expanded their convention and exhibition spaces in recent years and launched measures and promotional activities to attract large-scale international exhibitions; in the face of keen competition from the neighbouring regions, this council urges the Government to ensure that Hong Kong provides competitive convention and exhibition venues and supporting facilities to maintain its position as the convention and exhibition capital of Asia."
Hon Wong Ting-kwong will move an amendment to Hon Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen's motion.
Hon Miriam Lau will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Building Management (Third Party Risks Insurance) Regulation and Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution) Regulation laid on the table of the Legislative Council on July 11, 2007, to the meeting of November 7, 2007.
The Secretary for Justice will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Official Languages (Alteration of Text under Section 4D)(Miscellaneous) Order 2007 laid on the table of the Legislative Council on July 4, 2007.
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. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, October 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:07
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