Legco to resume debate on Rail Merger Bill
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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (June 6) at 11 am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will resume Second Reading Debate on Rail Merger Bill. If the Bill is supported by Members and received its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.

     On Members' motions, Members will debate a motion on Commission on Children. The motion, to be proposed by Hon Dr Hon Fernando Cheung, says: "That this Council urges the Government to set up a Commission on Children to fulfil the obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, safeguard the well-being of children, and ensure that children's perspectives are fully taken into account in the process of formulating government policies."

     Members will also debate a motion on concern about students with special educational needs.  The motion, to be moved by Hon Bernard Chan, states: "That, as integrated education in Hong Kong is currently implemented by a whole-school approach, and as some schools do not have sufficient complementary facilities and adequate training for frontline teachers, and they have to take care of too many types of students with special needs, the result achieved is not proportionate to the efforts made; for example, although some autistic students have excellent learning abilities, not only do they fail to exploit their strengths in class, their social adjustment and communication difficulties also make it difficult for teachers to deal with their behaviour, emotions and discipline in class, this Council urges the Government to deploy more resources to mainstream schools which admit students with special educational needs, so as to consolidate the foundation of such students for learning and help them integrate into mainstream education as soon as possible."

     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 website (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. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.

Ends/Monday, June 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:25

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