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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 25) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on making recommendations to the fourth term Chief Executive.
The motion, to be moved by Mr Chim Pui-chung, states: "That, as the fourth term Chief Executive has been smoothly elected under the Chief Executive Election Ordinance, this Council urges all sides to make recommendations to the fourth term Chief Executive; the relevant recommendations should include:
(a) to care about the disparity between the rich and the poor, especially paying regard to the aspirations of the middle and lower strata;
(b) to address the issue of travelling expenses of the elderly;
(c) to review the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme;
(d) to address the issue of Old Age Allowance;
(e) to plan for the construction of an additional cross-harbour tunnel in the vicinity of Tsim Sha Tsui connecting directly to the Central District on Hong Kong Island;
(f) to construct large-scale underground cities in various districts;
(g) to study the construction of towns for the elderly in Mainland China;
(h) to plan for massive reclamation projects;
(i) to review the country park policy; and
(j) to nurture talents."
Mr Albert Ho, Mr Frederick Fung, Dr Pan Pey-chyou, Ms Miriam Lau, Mr Ip Wai-ming, Mr Ronny Tong and Mr Cheung Hok-ming will move separate amendments to Mr Chim Pui-chung's motion.
Mr Cheung Man-kwong will move a motion on defending academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The motion, states: "That this Council condemns Hao Tiechuan, Director-General of the Publicity, Culture and Sports Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, for publicly criticising a number of times the public opinion poll on Hong Kong people's ethnic identity under the charge of Robert Chung, scholar of The University of Hong Kong, as 'unscientific' and 'illogical', and creating a chilling effect through political interference in academic pursuit, which is in contravention of the spirit of Article 137 of the Basic Law which provides that '[e]ducational institutions of all kinds may retain their autonomy and enjoy academic freedom', as well as the provision of Article 22 of the Basic Law, i.e. '[n]o department of the Central People's Government and no province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government may interfere in the affairs which the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region administers on its own in accordance with this Law'; in this connection, this Council urges the Government and educational institutions to legislate for safeguarding academic freedom and to ensure that scholars can enjoy academic freedom in accordance with law, free from any interference and fear; academic freedom is the cornerstone for promoting social civilisation and progress as well as an integral part of the autonomy of educational institutions, and therefore universities must not respond in silence to the interference and intimidation faced by their teaching staff and students, and not curry favour with and bow to the rich and powerful in the face of their enticement and pressure, in order to defend the legitimate autonomy and dignity of universities."
Ms Audrey Eu and Mr Albert Chan will move separate amendments to Mr Cheung Man-kwong's motion.
Meanwhile, Members will resume Second Reading debates on the Securities and Futures (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Amendment) Bill 2011. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stages and be read the Third time.
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 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, April 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:21
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