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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (June 1) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on promoting the relocation of departmental headquarters to the districts for creating employment.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Tommy Cheung, states: "That, for the purpose of fostering district economic development and creating more local district employment opportunities, this Council urges the Government to proactively study relocating expeditiously the headquarters of its back offices which are situated in prime urban land lots to various non-core districts and new development areas, including the North District, Tai Po, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Tung Chung, Tseung Kwan O and Kai Tak, etc.; in respect of the three government office buildings at the Wan Chai waterfront already planned for relocation, the Government should immediately announce to the public a concrete relocation timetable with specific details, and expedite the relocation process, so as to effect the moving in of large teams of civil servants of the relevant departments to various non-core districts or new development areas to boost the local consumption demand for shopping and dining, etc., inject fresh impetus into the local community economy, create more jobs suitable for the grassroots and low-skilled persons, and vacate valuable land lots for other uses which are more conducive to Hong Kong's economic development."
Hon Tanya Chan, Hon Ronny Tong and Hon Lee Wing-tat will move separate amendments to Hon Tommy Cheung's motion.
Members will debate another motion on formulating a development strategy for a low-carbon traffic and transport system. The motion, to be moved by Ir Dr Hon Raymond Ho, says: "That traffic and transport, which accounts for 18% of Hong Kong's total greenhouse gas emissions, is the second largest emission source; this Council urges the Government to formulate a development strategy for a low-carbon traffic and transport system as soon as possible, so as to fully implement the sustainable development principle, and when formulating the strategy concerned, the relevant authorities should proactively consider the various development objectives, including the following:
(a) to integrate land use planning with planning on transport facilities;
(b) to give priority to developing railway networks and expedite the expansion of the existing railway networks;
(c) to install additional ancillary interchange facilities at the stations along the railway lines;
(d) to promote green modes of traffic and transport as well as application of related techniques;
(e) on the premise of not exerting pressure on passengers' affordability, to implement the use of zero-emission buses in Hong Kong;
(f) to strengthen co-operation with the Pearl River Delta Region to promote green transport systems;
(g) to proactively develop pedestrian facilities and pedestrian precincts; and
(h) to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage people to travel on foot or by bicycle between destinations which are within appropriate distance."
Hon Kam Nai-wai, Hon Tommy Cheung, Hon Ip Wai-ming, Hon Chan Hak-kan and Hon Audrey Eu will move separate amendments to Ir Dr Hon Raymond Ho's motion.
On bills, the Pyramid Schemes Prohibition Bill will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare will move a resolution under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance in relation to the Revised Code of Practice on Employment under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance.
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 LegCo InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found in the LegCo website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the LegCo 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 watch the meeting via the web broadcast system on the LegCo website.
Ends/Monday, May 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:06
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