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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting this Wednesday (April 18) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on the vote of no confidence in the Chief Executive.
The motion, to be moved by Ms Tanya Chan, states: "That this Council has no confidence in the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang."
Members will debate another motion on perfecting Hong Kong's housing policy. The motion, to be proposed by Mr Wong Kwok-kin, says: "That, although the Government already resumed the construction of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats and increased land supply last year in response to strong public demand, the supply and prices of residential units in Hong Kong still continue to fluctuate, with the housing issue remaining people's greatest concern and grass-root people continuing to face various housing difficulties; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to ensure the healthy and stable development of the property market and formulate a long-term housing policy, so as to respond to the housing demand of various strata and perfect the housing ladder and mobility in Hong Kong; the relevant measures should include:
(a) to increase the existing annual public rental housing (PRH) production to 30 000 units or more for expediting the allocation of units to the existing 160 000-plus applicants on the Waiting List to two years, so as to meet grass-root people's demand for PRH;
(b) to comprehensively review the Quota and Points System for non-elderly one-person applicants, and study the adoption of more effective measures to assist singletons with actual housing need;
(c) to study the introduction of sandwich-class PRH to enable those households or persons with incomes slightly above the PRH eligibility criteria but without the ability to enter the private residential property market to apply for renting such units subject to certain conditions and time limits, so as to alleviate their rental pressure;
(d) to review the allocation and eligibility criteria of PRH, with a view to facilitating and encouraging young family members to live with their elderly family members and to care for them;
(e) to launch a large-scale territory-wide inspection of flat units sub-divided into separate units (commonly known as 'sub-divided units') and take enforcement actions against units contravening the Buildings Ordinance, so as to protect the safety of residents; at the same time, study the expeditious introduction of legislative control on 'sub-divided units', and conduct a general survey and a study on residents of 'sub-divided units', cubicles and cage homes, so as to facilitate the formulation of housing measures to assist these people;
(f) to review the various eligibility criteria and conditions relating to the purchase and turnover of HOS flats, including the ratio of green forms to white forms in respect of new HOS flats in the future, the arrangements for premium payment for new and old HOS flats, and allowing eligible families to purchase HOS flats in the secondary market without having to pay the premium, so as to expedite the turnover of HOS flats and facilitate people's home acquisition through this channel;
(g) to formulate long-term and sustainable development strategies for the supply of flats, site identification and financial commitment under various sandwich-class housing projects and HOS projects, so as to prevent such projects being suspended in the end due to policy changes or financial factors, etc.;
(h) in times of short supply of public housing and subsidized housing, to provide rental assistance and tax concessions to needy applicants waiting for PRH allocation or sandwich-class people eligible for subsidized housing, so as to alleviate their housing burden amid exorbitant rents; and
(i) to closely monitor the impact of the economic environment and external factors on the private residential property market and people's burden of home mortgages, and timely adjust the relevant policies to prevent drastic fluctuations in the private residential property market."
Mr Wong Sing-chi, Ms Miriam Lau, Dr Raymond Ho and Mr Lee Cheuk-yan will move amendments to Mr Wong Kwok-kin's motion respectively.
Meanwhile, Mr Chan Kam-lam will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1 and 2) Order 2012, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on March 21, 2012, to the meeting of May 9, 2012.
Ms Miriam Lau will move a motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion states: "That this Council, in accordance with Article 79(7) of the Basic Law, censures Hon Kam Nai-wai for misbehaviour."
Mr Paul Tse will also move a motion under Rule 49B(1) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion states: "That whereas the Honourable Leung Kwok-hung was convicted on March 19, 2012 in the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of four criminal offences and was sentenced on March 20, 2012 by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts to imprisonment for one month or more, this Council relieves the Honourable Leung Kwok-hung of his duties as a Member of the Legislative Council."
In addition, Mr Lee Cheuk-yan will move a proposed resolution under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance. The motion states: "That this Council appoints a select committee to inquire into whether any Member of the Executive Council or public officer had, in the course of approving the renewal of the sound broadcasting licence of Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited in 2003, proposed the shortening of the licence renewal term or any other administrative means in an attempt to suppress freedom of the press and freedom of expression, as well as related issues; and to inquire into whether any Member of the Executive Council or public officer had, in the course of deciding whether to resume the Second Reading debate on the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill in 2003, mentioned the use of anti-riot squad and tear gas against protesters, as well as related issues; and that in the performance of its duties the committee be authorized under section 9(2) of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap 382) to exercise the powers conferred by section 9(1) of that Ordinance."
On bills, Members will resume Second Reading debates on the Protection of Wages on Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Lifts and Escalators Bill. If the bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
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 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 Chamber of the LegCo 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 the meeting via the web broadcast system on the LegCo website.
Ends/Monday, April 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:13
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