LegCo to continue Second Reading debate on Appropriation Bill 2016
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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (April 20) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will continue the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2016 and Government officials will speak on the Bill. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will go to the Committee stage.

     On other Government bills, Members will resume the Second Reading debate on The Hong Kong Institute of Education (Amendment) Bill 2016, the Eastern Harbour Crossing Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2016, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Property Management Services Bill, the Chinese Permanent Cemeteries (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill 2015, the Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Product Container) (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2015, the Electoral Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill 2015, the Judiciary (Five-day Week) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2016 and the Interception of Communications and Surveillance (Amendment) Bill 2015. 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 Government motions, the Secretary for Transport and Housing will move a proposed resolution under the Road Traffic Ordinance to resolve that the period extended to June 20, 2016 by Legal Notice No. 54 of 2011, and for which there remains in force the limit on the number of vehicles which may be registered as public light buses specified in the Public Light Buses (Limitation on Number) Notice, be further extended to June 20, 2021.

     The Secretary for Transport and Housing will also move two separate proposed resolutions under the Public Bus Services Ordinance. The first proposed resolution is moved to resolve that the franchise granted on September 22, 2015 under the Public Bus Services Ordinance to Citybus Limited and published in the Gazette as G.N. 7692 of 2015 is not subject to sections 27, 28, 29 and 31 of that Ordinance for the entire period of the franchise. The second proposed resolution is moved to resolve that the franchise granted on September 22, 2015 under the Public Bus Services Ordinance to New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited and published in the Gazette as G.N. 7693 of 2015 is not subject to sections 27, 28, 29 and 31 of that Ordinance for the entire period of the franchise.

     On Members' bills, Members will resume the Second Reading debate on the Kowloon Tong Church of the Chinese Christian and Missionary Alliance Incorporation (Amendment) Bill 2014. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will then go through the Committee stage and be read the third time.

     The Bank of Communications (Hong Kong) Limited (Merger) Bill will also be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

     On Members' motions, Mr Andrew Leung will move two separate motions under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The first motion states: "That this Council takes note of Report No.8/15-16 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on December 16, 2015 in relation to the Census and Statistics (2016 Population Census) Order and the Fifth Technical Memorandum for Allocation of Emission Allowances in Respect of Specified Licences." The second motion states: "That this Council takes note of Report No.9/15-16 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on January 6, 2016 in relation to the Legislative Council Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 5) Order 2015 and the Maximum Amount of Election Expenses (Legislative Council Election) (Amendment) Regulation 2015."

     In addition, Mr Wong Yuk-man will move a motion under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance. The motion states: "That this Council appoints a select committee to inquire into the clashes between the Police and members of the public in Mong Kok from the night of February 8 to the early morning of February 9, 2016 which caused injuries to many people, and other related matters; and that in the performance of its duties the committee be authorized under section 9(2) of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382) to exercise the powers conferred by section 9(1) of that Ordinance."

     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, all of which require written 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, April 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 20:16

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