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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting this Wednesday (March 18) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on expanding the ratio of the middle-class population.
The motion, to be moved by Mr Andrew Leung, states: "That this Council urges the SAR Government to formulate feasible policies and measures to increase the opportunities for upward social mobility, thereby expanding the ratio of the middle-class population and enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness."
Prof Joseph Lee, Mr Sin Chung-kai, Mr Kenneth Leung and Ms Cyd Ho will move separate amendments to Mr Andrew Leung's motion.
Dr Lo Wai-kwok will also move a motion on formulating a long-term and comprehensive industrial policy. The motion states: "That this Council urges the SAR Government to expeditiously formulate a long-term, comprehensive, balanced and forward-looking industrial policy to introduce development strategies and ancillary measures for pillar industries, emerging industries and traditional industries respectively, and allocate resources correspondingly, so as to create a diversified environment for employment and business start-up, facilitate Hong Kong's economic restructuring, enhance overall competitiveness, ensure sustainable development of Hong Kong's economy and stable growth of government revenue, and create more upward mobility opportunities for new generations, thus improving people's livelihood."
Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Kenneth Leung, Mr Charles Mok and Mr Sin Chung-kai will move separate amendments to Dr Lo Wai-kwok'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. 14/14-15 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on March 18, 2015 in relation to the Minimum Wage Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2015 and Employment Ordinance (Amendment of Ninth Schedule) Notice 2015."
Mr Ip Kwok-him will move a proposed resolution under Article 75 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The proposed resolution seeks to amend Rule 83A of the Rules of Procedure (RoP) by (a) excluding common pecuniary interests from the requirement of Rule 83A of RoP on disclosure of pecuniary interests by Members in the Council or any committee or subcommittee; and (b) requiring a member of any Bills Committee/subcommittee appointed pursuant to Rule 75(12) of RoP for the purpose of assisting the House Committee in the performance of its functions under Rule 75(10) of RoP to disclose his pecuniary interest in relation to a matter at a meeting of the relevant committee or subcommittee when he first speaks on the matter in the committee/subcommittee but repeated disclosures of the same interest at subsequent meetings are not required.
On bills, the Human Reproductive Technology (Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Electrical Equipment and Electronic Equipment) (Amendment) Bill 2015 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
In addition, Members will resume Second Reading debate on the Securities and Futures and Companies Legislation (Uncertificated Securities Market Amendment) Bill 2014 and the Veterinary Surgeons Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Reading, they will then go through the Committee stage and be read the third time.
On motions, the Chief Secretary for Administration will move two proposed resolutions under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance to seek respectively the Council's approval of the Criminal Procedure (Witnesses' Allowances) (Amendment) Rules 2015, made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee on January 13; and the Council's approval of the Criminal Appeal (Amendment) Rules 2015, made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee on February 13.
The Chief Secretary for Administration will also move a proposed resolution under the Coroners Ordinance to seek the Council's approval of the Coroners (Witnesses' Allowances) (Amendment) Rules 2015, made by the Chief Justice on January 15.
The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move a proposed resolution under the Public Finance Ordinance to seek funds on account to enable the Government to carry on its services between the start of the financial year on April 1, 2015 and the time when the Appropriation Ordinance 2015 comes into operation.
The Secretary for Food and Health will move a proposed resolution under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to seek the Council's approval of the Pharmacy and Poisons (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2015, made by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board on February 9.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 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, March 16, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:35
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