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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will launch guided educational tours of the LegCo Complex for members of the public to gain first-hand experience of the facilities in the Complex this month. Members of the public may now make advance booking of tours through the online booking system available on the LegCo website.
Ms Pauline Ng, Secretary General of the LegCo Secretariat, said that the provision of guided educational tours aimed at enhancing the publicˇ¦s understanding of the work of the LegCo.
"We hope that with the provision of a wide range of facilities and guided educational tours for the public, more members of the public are able to know more about their Legislature and its Members, thereby enhancing a much closer relationship between the LegCo and the public," Ms Ng said.
Guided educational tours of the LegCo Complex will be provided from January 11 onwards, and are available to members of the public, schools and charitable organisations free of charge. Tours are arranged from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Sundays throughout the year except six public holidays including New Year Day, first and second days of the Chinese New Year, HKSAR Establishment Day, National Day and Christmas Day. It is expected that around 70 tours will be provided per week for visitors.
The duration of each tour lasts for an hour and may cater up to 45 persons. During the tour, visitors may visit the conference facilities and education facilities such as the Public Gallery of the Chamber, Viewing Gallery, Memory Lane and Education Gallery.
Members of the public are encouraged to make advance booking of tour tickets of guided educational tours through an online booking system available on the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/visiting/guided.html). An individual can book up to six tickets of one tour conducted per day. To facilitate those who do not have access to the internet, telephone booking will also be accepted for booking tickets of tours for individual visitors by calling the centralised booking hotline at 3919 3399.
Walk-in visitors may be allowed subject to availability of places. Tickets for walk-in visitors will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
Other than guided educational tours, members of the public can observe open meetings of the LegCo and its committees, and participate in the educational programmes conducted in the LegCo Complex. Reservation of these services can be made by calling the centralised booking hotline (Tel: 3919 3399).
For more details of the guided educational tours and other services, please refer to "Visiting" on the LegCo website at www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/visiting/index.html.
The LegCo Complex is the first purpose-built accommodation for the Hong Kong Legislature. Its construction commenced in 2008 and was completed in 2011. The Complex comprises the Council Block, the Office Block and the adjoining open space. It offers conference facilities required for Council business, office accommodation for LegCo Members and staff and also a wide range of facilities for the public.
Ends/Monday, January 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:07
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