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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday (February 29) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion for the adjournment of the Council under Rule 16(2) of the Rules of Procedure.
The motion to be moved by Ms Cyd Ho, states: "That this Council do now adjourn for the purpose of debating the following issue: the integrity and probity of the Chief Executive and his responsibility for upholding the fairness and impartiality of the next Chief Executive Election to be held on March 25."
Mr Cheung Hok-ming will move a motion on expanding land resources. The motion, states: "That the Government estimates that Hong Kong's population will reach 8.9 million in 2039, while the number of households will reach 3.1 million; in the Policy Address announced last year, the Chief Executive stated that the Government would innovate to expand land resources, so as to meet the demand of housing and economic development; recently, the authorities have also conducted consultation on the development of rock caverns and possible reclamation sites outside the Victoria Harbour; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to:
(a) formulate a concrete policy and timetable for materialising the concept of land reserve, and build a land reserve under a sustainable development approach, so as to formulate long-term land planning and stabilise land supply;
(b) innovate to encourage residential development projects on private lands, including studying allowing owners of private lands to participate in the land development of new development areas or new towns, appropriately relaxing the plot ratio for rural residential land, and enhancing the transparency of premium payment;
(c) review the existing compensation mechanism for land resumption, so as to expedite the Government's pace of land resumption for building new towns or new development areas;
(d) comprehensively look into the use of green belt areas and agricultural land in the New Territories which are devegetated, deserted or formed, thus no longer performing their original functions, and convert them into housing sites;
(e) before finalising any reclamation works project outside the Victoria Harbour, release as a mandatory requirement important information such as environmental impact and project costs, etc. for conducting intensive consultation with affected stakeholders, and make compensation in respect of affected fishermen and the ecological environment; and
(f) expedite the construction of the Northern Link with a view to driving land development in the Northwest New Territories."
Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Lee Wing-tat, Ms Tanya Chan and Mr Albert Chan will move separate amendments to Mr Cheung Hok-ming's motion.
Dr Margaret Ng will also move a motion. The motion, states: "That the Council notes the Report of the Subcommittee to Study Issues Relating to the Power of the Legislative Council to Amend Subsidiary Legislation."
Meanwhile, Ms Miriam Lau will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion, states: "That this Council takes note of Report No.13/11-12 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on February 29 in relation to the Places of Public Entertainment (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2011."
Mrs Sophie Leung will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Rating (Exemption) Order 2012, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on February 8, to the meeting of March 28.
On other motions, the Secretary for Food and Health will move a proposed resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to endorse the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) Regulation 2012 and the Poisons List (Amendment) Regulation 2012, made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on February 3.
The Secretary for Home Affairs will move a proposed resolution under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance and the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to endorse the amendments set out in the Schedule of the Legal Aid in Criminal Cases (Amendment) Rules 2012, made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee on January 19.
On bills, Members will resume Second Reading debate on the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2011. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the Third time.
In addition, the Construction Industry Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2012, the Trade Descriptions (Unfair Trade Practices) (Amendment) Bill 2012 and the Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Bill 2012 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debates on the bills will be adjourned.
Members will also ask the Administration 26 questions on various policy areas, 12 of which require oral replies, including six urgent oral questions raised under Rule 24(4) of the Rules of Procedure.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council 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 Legislative Council website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the Legislative Council Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the web broadcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, February 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:55
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