Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
LegCo to consider two motions under Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance
********************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (October 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will consider two motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance.

     The first motion, to be moved by Mr Gary Fan, states: "That this Council appoints a select committee to inquire into the incident of lead in the drinking water samples taken from public and private buildings exceeding the World Health Organization's standard, including the cause(s) of lead in drinking water, the responsibilities that must be borne by the contractors, whether there are any problems with the Government's procedures for selecting and monitoring the main contractors of public buildings, and whether the relevant government departments have properly discharged their monitoring responsibilities in the incident and all other related matters; and based on the results of the above inquiry, to make recommendations to the Government for improvement; and that in the performance of its duties the committee be authorised under section 9(2) of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382) to exercise the powers conferred by section 9(1) of that Ordinance."

     Ms Cyd Ho will also move a motion under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance. The motion states: "That this Council appoints a select committee to inquire into the cause(s) of lead in the drinking water samples taken from public and private buildings exceeding the World Health Organization's standard and related matters, including but not limited to whether the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Development Bureau, the Housing Authority, other government departments and public bodies have properly performed their duties; and to inquire into the defaults and responsibilities of the contractors in charge of the construction of the projects at issue and relevant parties or organisations, as well as related matters; and based on the results of the above inquiry, to make recommendations on the Government's work of ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water in the future and related matters; and that in the performance of its duties the committee be authorised under section 9(2) of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382) to exercise the powers conferred by section 9(1) of that Ordinance."

     Meanwhile, Mr Martin Liao will move a motion on seizing the opportunities brought about by "One Belt One Road" and seeking new directions for Hong Kong's economy. The motion states: "That the 'Silk Road Economic Belt' and the '21st Century Maritime Silk Road' (One Belt One Road) is a major strategy for the country's future long-term development, and is a new opportunity for promoting multi-faceted co-operation in regional economies and market development around the world; in this connection, this Council urges the SAR Government to lead and support various industries to seize the opportunities in a timely manner, and seek new directions for the sustainable development of Hong Kong's overall economy."

     Mr Christopher Cheung, Mr Chan Kam-lam, Mr Ng Leung-sing and Mr Ma Fung-kwok will move separate amendments to Mr Martin Liao's motion.

     Dr Kwok Ka-ki will also move a motion on legislating for safety of drinking water. The motion states: "That since the discovery of excess lead in drinking water at consumers' taps in some public rental housing estates in Hong Kong in early July this year, more and more cases of excess lead in drinking water samples have been uncovered, including samples taken from Home Ownership Scheme flats, private housing estates, hospitals and even schools, but the Government has shown its ineptitude in handling lead in drinking water incidents, thus shattering Hong Kong people's confidence in the safety of drinking water; in addition, the relevant legislation on water supply in Hong Kong is outdated and unable to effectively regulate the drinking water quality in Hong Kong; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to immediately legislate for the safety of drinking water, so as to ensure that Hong Kong people are able to consume safe and reliable drinking water."

     Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Mr Chan Han-pan, Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Dr Helena Wong and Mr Cheung Kwok-che will move separate amendments to Dr Kwok Ka-ki's motion.

     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. 1/15-16 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on October 14, 2015 in relation to the Import and Export (General) (Amendment) Regulation 2015; the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry (Amendment) Regulation 2015; and the Food Business (Amendment) Regulation 2015."

     On bill, the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2015 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 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, October 12, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:42

NNNN

Print this page