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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 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on rates relief.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Cheung Hok-ming, states: "That, as the government revenue of the current year is far better than expected, this Council urges the Government to provide rates relief to return wealth to the people, including waiving the rates for the whole year of 2008-2009 and reducing the rates percentage charge from the existing 5% to 3%."
Hon Frederick Fung, Hon Sin Chung-kai and Hon Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung will move separate amendments to Hon Cheung Hok-ming's motion. Moreover, Hon Miriam Lau, Hon Ronny Tong Ka-wah and Hon Chan Kam-lam will move separate amendments to Hon Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung's amendment.
Members will also debate a motion on developing diversified hawking and bazaar economic activities. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Wong Kwok-hing, says: "That, in order to fully utilise human and land resources, develop diversified hawking and bazaar economic activities to enhance the attractiveness of tourism in Hong Kong, as well as to further revitalise on-street economy and diversified economic activities in remote new towns, this Council urges the Government to:
(a) preserve existing bazaars which have local economic, cultural and native characteristics, and assist in the sustainable development of such bazaars;
(b) establish and develop new marketplaces with various characteristics, such as creativity bazaars and marketplaces for organic fishery and agricultural produce;
(c) set up designated zones for street art performance, arts fairs and the like in order to encourage and promote the culture of street art performance, preserve collective memories, and maintain, discover and nurture the culture and talents of folk art performance;
(d) set up various types of dawn markets and night markets at suitable locations so that those running small businesses who are self-reliant and self-supporting can have a way out;
(e) explore the setting up of on-street cooked food designated zones featuring specialty food and drinks;
(f) expeditiously conduct a comprehensive review on the policies for hawker licensing and management to tie in with the objective of promoting diversified hawking and bazaar economic activities; and
(g) proactively explore with various District Councils to implement the above measures and means for revitalising the diversified economy and culture in the districts,
so as to provide the grass-roots with opportunities for starting up small businesses and employment."
Hon Vincent Fang Kang and Hon Audrey Eu will move separate amendments to Hon Wong Kwok-hing's motion.
On government motion, the Secretary for the Environment will move a resolution under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance to amend Part III of Schedule 1 to the Ordinance by: (a) reducing the duty on light diesel oil which complies with the Euro V Standard to a concessionary rate of $0.56 per litre from December 1, 2007 to November 30, 2009 (both dates inclusive). The duty will be at the rate of $2.89 from December 1, 2009; and (b) including the technical specifications of Euro V diesel.
On bill, the Second Reading Debate on the Attachment of Income Order (Application to Government and Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2007 will resume. 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.
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, November 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:18
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