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The following is issued on behalf of Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (November 21) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on buying back the shares of The Link.
The motion, to be moved by Mr Leung Kwok-hung, states: "That, since the listing of The Link Real Estate Investment Trust (The Link) on November 25, 2005, The Link Management Limited has enjoyed an absolute geographical advantage in public housing estates in that rentals of its retail shopping arcades and car parks have continued to increase, and it has monopolised the retail facilities in the districts concerned, leaving residents with no other choices; the Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying, undertook during his election campaign that he and the Bureau Director responsible for housing matters would study the identification of sites in public housing estates for the construction of government-managed commercial facilities to curb exorbitant prices, and he also said publicly that the buying back of the shares of The Link could be studied; the Chief Executive has assumed office for more than 100 days, but no follow-up has been taken; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to balance the community interests at large on the issue of rental of public housing shopping arcades, and consider various feasible means to buy back a total of no less than 25% of the shares of The Link to become the major or sole shareholder, so as to exercise influence on The Link Management Limited, making it give consideration to corporate social responsibility."
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Ms Chan Yuen-han, Mr Leung Che-cheung and Dr Kwok Ka-ki will move separate amendments to Mr Leung Kwok-hung's motion.
Meanwhile, Members will debate a motion on building an inclusive society for all. The motion, to be moved by Mr Leung Yiu-chung, states: "That, as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention) has been in force in Hong Kong since August 31, 2008, this Council urges the Government to expeditiously establish a dedicated committee to promote and give effect to the relevant provisions of the Convention that the SAR Government has not yet implemented, and based on the World Health Organization's international standards on the definition of disabilities, to extend the scope of protection for persons with disabilities, especially for persons with disabilities under the age of 12, so that they can equally enjoy the rights conferred under the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities."
Dr Fernando Cheung, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, Mr Chan Han-pan, Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Ms Emily Lau and Mr Michael Tien will move separate amendments to Mr Leung Yiu-chung's motion.
On Motions, the Secretary for Food and Health will move a proposed resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to approve the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2012 and the Poisons List (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2012, made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on October 30, 2012.
In addition, Mr Andrew Leung will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion, states: "That this Council takes note of Report No. 4/12-13 of the House Committee laid on the table of the Council on November 21, 2012 in relation to the Third Technical Memorandum for Allocation of Emission Allowances in Respect of Specified Licences."
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, November 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:21
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