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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (December 2) at 11 am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on roadmap for universal suffrage.
The motion, to be moved by Mr Alan Leong, states: "That the Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang publicly promised the people of Hong Kong during his 2007 election campaign that he would settle the issue of universal suffrage once and for all, but he has not put forth a complete roadmap for universal suffrage in his Policy Address this year, completely breaching his election pledge; in this connection, this Council strongly requests the Government to seize the opportunity of the constitutional reform consultation to give an account to the public on the roadmap for universal suffrage, and make an undertaking that the option for genuine universal suffrage will be implemented no later than 2017 and 2020, and this option shall comprise the following principles:
(a) the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and electing all Legislative Council Members shall comply with the internationally recognised standards of 'universal and equal' suffrage, and members of the public should enjoy the right to free elections;
(b) the basis of the composition of the nominating committee for the selection of the Chief Executive shall encompass a wide range of public opinion, the nomination threshold should not be too high and, on the premise of implementing an open and universal nomination procedure, arrangement should not be made to screen out candidates or exclude certain political forces from standing in the elections; and
(c) regarding the election of the Legislative Council, functional constituencies shall be completely abolished to achieve the goal of fair election."
Ms Emily Lau and Ms Cyd Ho will move separate amendments to Mr Alan Leong's motion.
Members will debate another motion on actively responding to the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009. The motion, to be moved by Ms Audrey Eu, says: "That this Council appeals to the governments of various countries to strive to reach a new agreement on addressing climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009, and urges the Hong Kong Government to grasp this critical moment to shoulder responsibility and put forward comprehensive policies and plans to address climate change, the reduction targets for total greenhouse gas emissions as well as the relevant legislative programme, and study how to assist developing countries in implementing the measures and financing arrangements for reducing emissions and adapting to climate change."
Mr Chan Hak-kan, Ms Cyd Ho, Miss Tanya Chan, Dr Pan Pey-chyou and Mr Kam Nai-wai will move separate amendments to Ms Audrey Eu's motion.
Dr Margaret Ng will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to repeal the Rules of the High Court (Amendment) Rules 2009, which was laid on the table of the Legislative Council on October 14, 2009.
In addition, Mr Tam Yiu-chung will move a resolution under Article 75 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China to amend the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
On Government motions, the Secretary for Development will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to amend the Building (Minor Works) (Fees) Regulation, which was laid on the table of the Legislative Council on October 14, 2009.
Meanwhile, the Secretary for the Environment will move a resolution under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance to approve the Ozone Layer Protection (Products Containing Scheduled Substances) (Import Banning) (Amendment) Regulation 2009, which was made by the Secretary for the Environment on June 17, 2009.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 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. Members of the public can also listen to the meeting via the audio webcast system on the Legislative Council homepage.
Ends/Monday, November 30, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:48
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