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LegCo to debate a motion on following up the matter on Mr Snowden's disclosure of the United States Government's hacking into the computer systems in Hong Kong
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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 (July 17) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on following up the matter on Mr Snowden's disclosure of the United States Government's hacking into the computer systems in Hong Kong.

     The motion, to be moved by Mr Ma Fung-kwok, states: "That, as Mr Snowden, a former technical assistant for the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States (US), disclosed during a media interview the matter on the US Government's surveillance of and hacking into Hong Kong's communications networks, this Council expresses strong dissatisfaction with the US Government in this regard, and urges the HKSAR Government to request clarification from the US Government, so as to safeguard the security of cyber communications in Hong Kong, and ensure the protection of Hong Kong people's privacy."

     Mr Charles Mok, Mr Ronny Tong and Mr Sin Chung-kai will move separate amendments to Mr Ma Fung-kwok's motion.

     Dr Leung Ka-lau will move a motion on dissolving the Hospital Authority. The motion states: "That the Hospital Authority (HA) was established in 1990 with the aim of effectively utilising resources to establish and manage public hospitals and improve healthcare service quality; however, HA is both the buyer and the vendor of healthcare services with a conflict of roles, which on the one hand procures the relevant services for the public and on the other hand must take care of its own interests as the service provider, thus resulting in its inability to allocate resources in full accordance with patient needs; although the Government has kept increasing funding for HA, HA's uneven allocation has rendered the resources for some of its clusters or departments insufficient for a long time and the problem of varying service quality unresolved, thus giving rise to public pressure of demanding the Government to keep increasing funding, with HA being rewarded for its misgovernance instead; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to dissolve HA, and under the principle of 'money follows patient' and in accordance with the population size of and number of patients in various districts, directly purchase services from public and private healthcare organisations, and allow patients to choose hospitals for treatment, with resource utilisation and allocation put under the monitoring by the Legislative Council, so as to respond to patient needs."

     Dr Fernando Cheung and Mr Albert Ho will move separate amendments to Dr Leung Ka-lau's motion.

     Mr Ronny Tong will also move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The motion, states: "That this Council takes note of Report No. 21/12-13 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on July 17, 2013 in relation to the Trade Descriptions (Powers Not Exercisable by Communications Authority) Notice, the Trade Descriptions (Unfair Trade Practices) (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 (Commencement) Notice, the Building (Minor Works) (Amendment) Regulation 2013 and the Buildings Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2012."

     Besides, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move three proposed resolutions under section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to amend the Companies (Model Articles) Notice, the Company Records (Inspection and Provision of Copies) Regulation and the Companies (Non-Hong Kong Companies) Regulation laid on the Table of the Council on May 29, 2013.

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will also move a proposed resolution under the Companies Ordinance to resolve that the Companies (Unfair Prejudice Petitions) Proceedings Rules, made by the Chief Justice on May 9, 2013, be approved.

     In addition, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move two proposed resolutions under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance to resolve that the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2013 and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2013, made by the Chief Executive in Council on May 28, 2013, be approved.

     On bills, the Child Abduction Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2013 and the Toys and Children's Products Safety (Amendment) Bill 2013 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the bills will be adjourned.

     Meanwhile, Members will also resume Second Reading debates on the Trust Law (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the Pesticides (Amendment) Bill 2013. 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.

     In addition, Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Mr Tam Yiu-chung, will present the Committee on Rules of Procedure Progress Report for the period October 2012 to July 2013 at the meeting and address the Council.

     Meanwhile, Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Alan Leong; Chairman of the Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Wong Yuk-man; Chairman of the Panel on Manpower, Mr Lee Cheuk-yan; Chairman of the Panel on Development, Dr Lau Wong-fat; Chairman of the Panel on Commerce and Industry, Mr Vincent Fang; Chairman of the Panel on Public Service, Mrs Regina Ip; Chairman of the Panel on Education, Dr Lam Tai-fai; Chairman of the Panel on Housing, Mr Wong Kwok-hing; Chairman of the Panel on Welfare Services, Ms Chan Yuen-han; Chairman of the Panel on Environmental Affairs, Ms Cyd Ho; and Chairman of the Panel on Transport, Mr Chan Kam-lam, will present the 2012-2013 Reports of the related Panels and address the Council respectively.

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 22 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, July 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:30

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