*********************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
At the request of the Administration, a visit to the LegCo Building by a delegation of Sichuan earthquake victims and quake-relief personnel had been arranged by the LegCo Secretariat this afternoon (January 20). During the visit, the delegation met with the President of the LegCo and some LegCo Members respectively. They also observed a Panel meeting in the Public Gallery of the Chamber and took a look at the facilities in the LegCo Building.
The delegation, comprising ten members, arrived at the LegCo Building before 2 pm and met with the President of the LegCo, Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing. In welcoming the delegation to LegCo, Mr Tsang said, ˇ§Members of the LegCo are very much concerned about the rebuild of Sichuan earthquake areas and hope that the reconstruction work can be carried out smoothly and effectively.ˇ¨ He also expressed condolences to the earthquake victims and enquired about the progress of their recovery and the situation of their current daily life. He also praised the work of the quake-relief personnel.
Some 11 LegCo Members met the delegation at the start of a briefing conducted by the Secretary General of the LegCo Secretariat. These Members included Ir Dr Hon Raymond Ho Chung-tai, Hon Chan Kam-lam, Hon Mrs Sophie Leung LAU Yau-fun, Hon Lau Wong-fat, Hon Tam Yiu-chung, Hon Abraham Shek Lai-him, Hon Li Fung-ying, Hon Wong Kwok-hing, Hon Wong Ting-kwong, Prof Hon Patrick Lau Sau-shing and Hon Ip Kwok-him. Members expressed their sympathy towards the victims and showed great respect to all Sichuan citizens suffered from the earthquake. They would hope to have the opportunity to visit Sichuan quake-hit areas sometime in the future.
The delegation had a tour in the 97-year-old historical Building which they found to be most impressive. Before leaving, the delegation also observed the meeting of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene in the Public Gallery of the LegCo Chamber.
Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:18
NNNN
