*********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (January 14) at 2.30 pm in the Legislative Council Chamber. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on supporting the import and export industries.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Hui Cheung-ching, says: "That this Council urges the Government to expeditiously study how Hong Kong's import and export industries will be affected by the implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and the changes to be introduced by European countries and the United States in 2005 to the export quota system for major textile products from Hong Kong and the Mainland, and to formulate corresponding measures."
Members will also debate a motion proposed by Hon Michael Mak Kwok-fung on better health care financing policy. His motion says: "That, as the existing health care financing policy fails to enable the public to receive sustained good-quality health care services, this Council urges the Government to work out a better health care financing plan in the light of overseas experience and to consult the public, so as to expeditiously formulate a long-term new policy that is workable."
Moreover, the Secretary for Justice will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Summary Disposal of Complaints (Solicitors) Rules, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 26 November 2003.
Hon Hui Cheung-ching will also move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Particulars Relating to Candidates on Ballot Papers (Legislative Council) Regulation, laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 17 December 2003, to the meeting of 4 February 2004.
On bills, the Vocational Training Council (Amendment) Bill 2003 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on this bill will be adjourned.
Meanwhile, Second Reading debate on the Education (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2003 and Hon Kenneth Ting Woo-shou's Ling Liang World-Wide Evangelistic Mission Incorporation (Amendment) Bill 2003 will resume. If the two Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
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.
Ends/Monday, January 12, 2004
NNNN
