******************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Ip Kwok-him and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (November 5):
Question:
As Members of this Council are provided, with effect from the Fourth Legislative Council, with an end-of-service gratuity and annual accountable medical allowance of $25,000, will the Government inform this Council whether presently it has any plan to provide such remuneration arrangements for District Council members; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
In 2006, the Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the District Councils (DCs) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Independent Commission) considered how the remuneration package of DC members of this term could be improved. The recommendations of the Independent Commission were approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council. These include a 10 percent increase in the honorarium of DC members, introduction of a new miscellaneous expenses allowance ($48,000 per annum), introduction of a setting-up allowance ($100,000 per term) and a winding-up allowance ($72,000 per term).
We note the new arrangements for end-of-service gratuity and medical allowance for LegCo Members in the new term. We will review the remuneration arrangements for DC members and seek advice from the Independent Commission to ensure that the arrangements will meet the needs of changing circumstances.
Ends/Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN
