************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (November 28) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on maintaining the political neutrality of the civil service.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Margaret NG, states: "That this Council urges the Government to adopt all measures to maintain a quality, professional, politically neutral, clean and public-spirited civil service, and to clearly delineate the division of powers, responsibilities and roles between the civil service and the politically appointed officials."
Hon Alan LEONG Kah-kit will move an amendment to Hon Margaret NG's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on responding to the problem of climate change. The motion, to be proposed by Hon CHOY So-yuk, says: "That, as climate change has become an important issue in sustainable development worldwide, the United Nations will convene a summit on climate change in Bali in December this year, and many countries and places are working together to formulate effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to lead Hong Kong in shouldering its due responsibilities as an international city and take proactive actions to respond to the crisis of climate warming, which include:
(a) setting up an inter-departmental working group on climate change under the leadership of the Chief Executive to demonstrate the Government's determination to respond to climate change, as well as to more effectively coordinate the efforts of various departments in formulating emissions reduction and adaptation policies;
(b) stipulating concrete targets in the reduction of total greenhouse gas emissions;
(c) including the limits on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the terms of the new Scheme of Control Agreement with the two power companies;
(d) proactively promoting territory-wide greening work, collaborating with District Councils and the private sector in expediting the development of Greening Master Plans, and actively adopting the concepts of vertical greening and rooftop greening etc. to facilitate three-dimensional development of greened areas and make available additional space for greening;
(e) legislating for mandatory implementation of the Building Energy Codes;
(f) expediting full implementation of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme; and
(g) optimising the use of greenhouse gas emitted from landfill sites."
Hon Miriam LAU, Hon Audrey EU, Hon Jeffrey LAM Kin-fung and Hon SIN Chung-kai will move separate amendments to Hon CHOY So-yuk's motion.
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 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:43
NNNN
