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Following is a question by the the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam (in the absence of Secretary for Home Affairs) in the Legislative Council today (May 21):
Question:
In 2003, the Government provided to this Council the criteria for appointing members of the District Councils (DCs), one of which being that candidates who took part and were not elected in the 2003 DC election would not be appointed as DC members. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) among the appointed DC members of the current term, of the number of those who were candidates and were not elected in the 2003 DC election, as well as their names and DCs to which they belong;
(b) of the reasons why the Government appointed such persons as DC members of the current term; and
(c) whether it has assessed if the appointment of such persons has contravened the above appointment criterion; if it has, of the outcome of the assessment; if the assessment outcome is in the affirmative, the remedial measures to be taken; if the assessment outcome is in the negative, the reasons for that?
Reply :
Madam President,
In appointing members to the District Councils (DCs), the Administration will take into account the candidate's ability, professional knowledge, experience, integrity, as well as his commitment to serve the community to ensure that the most suitable persons are appointed as DC members. In line with the Administration's criteria for appointing members of the DCs, none of the candidates who lost in the 2003 DC Election was appointed to the second term (2004-2007) DC.
Appointment to the current term DC is independent of the election results of the 2003 DC Election. On the basis of the principles as set out above, none of the appointed members of the current term DC participated and lost in the 2007 DC Election.
Ends/Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:00
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