LegCo to debate motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure
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The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (December 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure.
The motion, moved by Mr Paul Tse, states: "That this Council, in accordance with Article 79(7) of the Basic Law, censures Dr Hon Cheng Chung-tai for misbehaviour (details as particularised in the Schedule to this motion)."
Mr Ip Kin-yuen will move a motion on prerequisites for the next Secretary for Education. The motion states: "That, as the Secretary for Education Mr Eddie Ng, in his term of office, has performed very poorly, neglected his duties, kept paying overseas visits and failed to actively handle issues of greatest concern to the education sector and people in the community, the implementation of the education policies lacks progress; according to the survey conducted between December 2015 and November 2016 by the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong, the Secretary for Education persistently received a net popularity of over -40 percentage points, with almost 60 per cent of the respondents persistently voted for his dismissal; as indicated by the findings of another survey, Survey on the Secretary for Education and Educational Issues in Hong Kong, that the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong was commissioned to conduct between May 24 and June 8, 2016, Mr Eddie NG's overall performance in administering education policies was given mean scores of 3.7 and 2.8 out of a full score of 10 by members of the public and teachers respectively; in this connection, with a view to restoring the confidence of the education sector and the public in the implementation of education policies, this Council urges that when appointing the Secretary for Education, the next Chief Executive must prudently select a person with integrity and strong commitment, who does not evade responsibilities, is willing to heed views, has a sense of mission for education, is conversant with education policies, and is willing to seriously examine the education system, so that education can return to the right track."
Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, Mr Charles Peter Mok and Mr Nathan Law will move separate amendments to Mr Ip Kin-yuen's motion.
Dr Lau Siu-lai will move a motion on formulating a territory-wide long-term bazaar policy. The motion states: "That bazaars are part of the local culture, and they are also providing grass-roots people with employment opportunities and shopping venues for quality goods at low prices; but over the years, under the impact of managerialism mindset and 'developer hegemony', the Government has been suppressing hawkers who maintained the community ecology, and smothering the room for grass-roots people to earn a living and their freedom to use public spaces; even though the Government had discussions on matters related to hawkers and bazaars in the past, the relevant policies introduced were incomprehensive and lacked a direction; the Yau Tsim Mong District Council's objection against the Government's proposal to operate a 'cooked food bazaar at MacPherson Playground' during the Lunar New Year 2017 is a case in point; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to:
(1) formulate a territory-wide long-term bazaar policy to preserve the existing bazaars and develop various kinds of bazaars, including grass-roots livelihood bazaars, home-made food bazaars, farmers' bazaars, cooked food night bazaars, culture and arts bazaars, etc.;
(2) set up a Bazaar Development Department to coordinate various government departments and District Councils for formulating a set of clear and standardised application process for bazaar operation, so as to assist community organisations and grass-roots people to apply for operating bazaars;
(3) establish consultation channels to collect information on places proposed by the public and District Councils for operating bazaars, and draw up and make public a list of bazaar sites over the territory (including sites under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Lands Department, the Housing Department and the Highways Department), so that social welfare organisations and charitable bodies may borrow these sites for holding bazaar activities on a regular basis;
(4) review the existing regulatory system on food production to allow grass-roots people who operate cooked food stalls to lawfully produce or process food at home; and review the existing licensing conditions for small cooked food stalls, so that grass-roots people who operate cooked food stalls can warm food on the spot;
(5) cooperate with local organisations to provide premises for 'community kitchens', so as to allow grass-roots people who operate cooked food stalls at bazaars to produce or process food in the relevant premises;
(6) explore holding temporary holiday bazaars during holidays, such as Lunar New Year, Labour Day, Easter, Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas Day, etc.; and implement a pilot scheme during Lunar New Year to select a Lunar New Year Fair and designate a pedestrian precinct for operating bazaars in each of the five major constituencies of Hong Kong, so as to allow people in each constituency to relish afresh authentic night bazaar culture; and
(7) refrain from conducting eradication operations against bazaar hawkers during Lunar New Year before the formulation of a specific bazaar policy."
Mr Shiu Ka-fai, Mr Steven Ho and Mr Hui Chi-fung will move separate amendments to Dr Lau Siu-lai's motion.
In addition, Ms Starry Lee will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Port Control (Cargo Working Areas) (Amendment) Regulation 2016 laid on the table of the Council on December 7, 2016 to the meeting of February 8, 2017.
On bill, the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2016 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 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 12, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:45
Issued at HKT 18:45
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