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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (October 31) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on alleviating the disparity between the rich and the poor and re-establishing the Commission on Poverty.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee, states: "That, as the disparity between the rich and the poor is becoming more serious in Hong Kong, this Council urges the Government to re-establish the Commission on Poverty and formulate a more comprehensive policy on combating poverty so as to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, thereby improving the life of the poor, reducing social conflicts and promoting harmonious social development."
Hon Li Kwok-ying, Hon Leung Kwok-hung and Dr Hon Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung will move separate amendments to Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on facing up to the needs of people with disabilities in using transport. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Leung Yiu-chung, says: "That this Council passed motions in the 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 sessions calling for improvement to transport facilities for people with disabilities and offer of concessionary fares to them, but the government departments concerned, some statutory transport corporations and other public transport operators have failed to take corresponding measures and face up to the requests; this Council considers that for many years there is a general consensus in the community that there is a need to offer transport concessions to help people with disabilities to integrate into society and the Government is duty-bound to take the matter forward, this Council is greatly dissatisfied and expresses deep regret that the Government has been procrastinating for years and has not achieved any results so far; moreover, some transport operators have recently proposed that the Government should bear all the deficits or keep all the surpluses arising from the introduction of half-fare concession for people with disabilities, but the Government has been procrastinating on the matter on the ground of financial commitments, which calls into question the Government's sincerity in taking the matter forward; in this connection, this Council reiterates that the Government:
(a) must put forth, in the near future, specific proposals and timeframe for introducing half-fare concession for people with disabilities, so as to expeditiously facilitate their integration into society and improve their life;
(b) should allocate additional resources to improve the Rehabus service; and
(c) should strictly regulate the public transport operators in providing barrier-free facilities, so as to enable more people with disabilities to use transport and integrate into society."
Hon Wong Kwok-hing will move an amendment to Hon Leung Yiu-chung's motion.
The Secretary for Security will move a resolution under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance to seek the Council's approval on the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Malaysia) Order, made by the Chief Executive in Council on May 8, 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 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:10
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