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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (July 2) at 2:30 pm in the Legislative Council Chamber. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on mandatory inspection and maintenance of buildings.
The motion, to be moved by Hon LAU Ping-cheung, says: "That this Council urges the Government to expeditiously consult the public on the mandatory inspection of buildings, and introduce legislation thereafter to require owners of dilapidated buildings and buildings not complying with the standards prescribed under the Buildings Ordinance to engage competent persons to regularly inspect their buildings as well as carry out the necessary repairs, so as to ensure that the condition of such buildings meets building safety and environmental hygiene requirements and will not pose threats to the public."
Hon Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, Hon James TO Kun-sun and Hon IP Kwok-him will move amendments to Hon LAU Ping-cheung's motion.
Members will also debate a motion proposed by Hon Mrs Sophie LEUNG LAU Yau-fun on fashion centre of Asia Pacific. Her motion says: "That this Council urges the Government to affirm the contributions of the textile and clothing industry to Hong Kong's overall economy, and to make early preparations in anticipation of the impending abolition of the textile quota system in 2005 and the forthcoming implementation of the "Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement" which may bring about new business opportunities or have impact in various respects; at the same time, the Government should also actively explore and formulate strategies, including setting up expeditiously a "border industrial zone" and a "fashion and design centre" to help Hong Kong develop into the "Fashion centre of Asia Pacific", enhance the overall competitiveness of the industry and promote its growth, as well as to provide more employment opportunities, in particular those popular with young people, in Hong Kong."
On bills, Second Reading debates on the Chemical Weapons (Convention) Bill, the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2001, the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2002 and the Legislative Council (Amendment) Bill 2003 will resume. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
Moreover, the Chief Secretary for Administration will move two resolutions under Article 73(7) of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance to seek endorsement of the appointment of the Right Honourable The Lord Woolf of Barnes, the Right Honourable The Lord Scott of Foscote and the Right Honourable Sir Ivor Richardson as judges of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal from other common law jurisdictions; and the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice Geoffrey MA Tao-li as the Chief Judge of the High Court.
The Chief Secretary for Administration will also move a resolution under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance to seek approval of the Legal Aid in Criminal Cases (Amendment)Rules 2003, made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee on 12 June 2003.
The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology will move a resolution under the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 to seek approval of the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 (Amendment) Notice 2003, made by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology on 11 June 2003.
The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands will move a resolution under the Buildings Ordinance to amend the Fifth Schedule to the Buildings Ordinance.
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food will move a resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek approval of the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2003, the Poisons List (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2003, the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2003 and the Poisons List (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulation 2003, made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on 11 June 2003.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for Security will move a resolution under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance to seek approval of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Ireland) Order, made by the Chief Executive in Council on 10 December 2002.
The Secretary for Security will also move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Fire Services (Fire hazard Abatement) Regulation, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 14 May 2003.
During the meeting, Members will ask the Government 20 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the Legislative Council web site (http://www.legco.gov.hk).
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Legislative Council Chamber. They may reserve seats by calling 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
End/Monday, June 30, 2003
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