LegCo to debate motion on formulating a housing policy to alleviate the keen housing demand
******************************************************************************************
The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (December 7) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on formulating a housing policy to alleviate the keen housing demand.
The motion, moved by Mr Paul Tse, states: "That given the ongoing low interest rate environment and insufficient land supply in Hong Kong, and the influx of capital from the Mainland into Hong Kong for massive purchases of local land and properties, etc., property prices have continued to soar, thus rendering it difficult for households of newly-wed couples, young people, retired rank-and-file staff of the disciplined services, residents of subdivided units and singletons waiting for public rental housing, etc. to find a decent home; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to expeditiously formulate an appropriate housing policy to help the aforesaid people who are in desperate need of housing."
Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Mr Leung Yiu-chung, Mr Wilson Or, Dr Kwok Ka-ki, Dr Yiu Chung-yim, Mr Andrew Wan, Mrs Regina Ip and Dr Fernando Cheung will move separate amendments to Mr Paul Tse's motion.
Mr Chan Han-pan will move a motion on updating the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines and increasing community facilities to enhance living environment. The motion states: "That, in recent years, the Government has made it a prime task to increase the supply of public and private housing, but while substantially increasing public and private housing, the Administration has not correspondingly increased community facilities, especially parking spaces, public markets as well as cultural and leisure facilities, thus failing to enhance the living environment; in this connection, this Council urges the Administration to update the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines and relevant town planning guidelines, set up a dedicated fund for enhancement of community facilities and optimize the use of idle spaces or land lots, so as to expeditiously construct community facilities such as parking spaces, public markets, cultural and leisure facilities, etc. in various districts, thereby responding to the public aspiration for enhanced living environment in communities; the Administration should also earmark financial and administrative resources and draw up a specific timetable for the expeditious implementation of the construction of various facilities concerned."
Ms Alice Mak, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Frankie Yick, Ms Tanya Chan, Mr Andrew Wan, Mr Leung Yiu-chung and Dr Yiu Chung-yim will move separate amendments to Mr Chan Han-pan's motion.
In addition, Ms Starry Lee will move two proposed resolutions under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance. The first proposed resolution is to extend the period for amending the Solicitors (Professional Indemnity) (Amendment) Rules 2016 and the Solicitors' Practice (Amendment) Rules 2016 laid on the table of the Council on November 30, 2016 to the meeting of January 18, 2017. The second proposed resolution is to extend the period for amending the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Animal Traders) (Amendment) Regulation 2016 (Commencement) Notice laid on the table of the Council on November 30, 2016 to the meeting of January 18, 2017.
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 to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo website.
Ends/Monday, December 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:45
Issued at HKT 17:45
NNNN