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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (April 17) expressed the Government's utmost regret over the incident in which Legislative Council (LegCo) member Mr Leung Kwok-hung threw objects at the Financial Secretary during the second reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2014 during the LegCo meeting yesterday (April 16).
The objects had hit the Financial Secretary before the security personnel inside the Chamber managed to take any effective actions to stop Mr Leung.
Mrs Lam said, "Public officers attending meetings of the LegCo should enjoy the same protection and respect as any LegCo Member. Under no circumstances should public officers attending LegCo meetings be subjected to any intimidating or abusive acts by Members."
In a letter to the LegCo President issued today, Mrs Lam pointed out that while the Government has been expressing similar concerns in recent years, it is regretted that such an incident has occurred yet again, and caused disruption to the debate which should have been a solemn act.
Mrs Lam also raised in the letter that there is much to be desired on the security arrangements inside the Chamber, and it is opportune to revisit and tighten the LegCo Rules of Procedure to prevent similar misbehaviour in future.
"We feel strongly that such disorderly behaviour must be stopped," Mrs Lam added.
In addition, Mrs Lam convened an urgent meeting with the Chairman of the LegCo House Committee, Mr Andrew Leung, this morning to express the Government's grave concern over the incident and strongly request that appropriate follow-up actions be taken by the LegCo.
Ends/Thursday, April 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:39
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