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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 (March 25) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on balancing the impacts of the tourism industry on the economy and people of Hong Kong.
The motion, to be moved by Mr Vincent Fang, states: "That over the past year, incidents targeting Mainland tourists have occurred repeatedly in Hong Kong, and recently some people have even used violence to harass tourists who 'appear' to come from the Mainland and local people; such incidents have damaged Hong Kong's reputation as a shoppers' paradise established for half a century, and have dealt a blow to industries related to tourism services; if the situation continues, the related industries will shrink and the practitioners' livelihood will also be affected; in this connection, this Council urges the SAR Government to immediately take multi-pronged measures to regulate the activities of carrying duty-free commodities into the Mainland for sale (commonly known as 'parallel trading activities') and same-day Mainland tourists who come to Hong Kong mainly for procurement; at the same time, the SAR Government should increase tourism, transport and retail facilities for diverting Mainland tourists from local people, so as to safeguard their safety when shopping in Hong Kong, and deal with those persons who have caused disorder in public places and harassed tourists and local people in accordance with the law."
Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Ms Claudia Mo, Mr Gary Fan, Mr Tang Ka-piu, Mr Sin Chung-kai, Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Wong Ting-kwong, Dr Fernando Cheung, Dr Andrew Leung and Mrs Regina Ip will move separate amendments to Mr Vincent Fang's motion.
Dr Priscilla Leung will also move a motion on comprehensively reviewing the subject of Liberal Studies under the New Senior Secondary curriculum. The motion states: "That the subject of Liberal Studies under the New Senior Secondary curriculum has received much concern since its implementation and is controversial in terms of its curriculum design, coverage of teaching, assessment method and teacher training, etc.; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to comprehensively review the subject of Liberal Studies under the New Senior Secondary curriculum."
Mrs Regina Ip, Dr Helena Wong, Dr Kenneth Chan, Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, Ms Cyd Ho and Ms Starry Lee will move separate amendments to Dr Priscilla Leung's motion.
Meanwhile, Mr Andrew Leung will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Competition (Application of Provisions) Regulation, the Competition (Disapplication of Provisions) Regulation, the Competition (Turnover) Regulation and the Competition Ordinance (Commencement) Notice 2015 laid on the table of the Council on February 25, 2015 to the meeting of April 15, 2015.
Mr Andrew Leung will also move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Rating (Exemption) Order 2015 laid on the table of the Council on March 18, 2015 to the meeting of May 6, 2015.
Mr Ip Kwok-him will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the District Councils Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 7) Order 2015 and the Maximum Amount of Election Expenses (District Council Election) (Amendment) Regulation 2015 laid on the table of the Council on March 18, 2015 to the meeting of May 6, 2015.
On bills, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 2015 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
In addition, Members will resume Second Reading debate on the District Cooling Services Bill. If the Bill is supported by Members and receive its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee stage and be read the third time.
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 on 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. Members of the public can also watch or listen the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.
Ends/Monday, March 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:47
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