The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (January 9) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.  During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on reviewing the policy on One-way Permit.
    
     The motion, moved by Mr Alvin Yeung, states: "That as currently a large number of Mainland immigrants have come to Hong Kong for settlement on One-way Permits (OWPs), creating a great burden on public services and facilities in Hong Kong in such areas as social welfare, housing, education and health care, this Council urges the SAR Government to reform the policy on OWP; the relevant measures should include:

     (1) immediately appealing to the Central Government for reducing the quota for Mainland residents coming to Hong Kong for settlement on OWPs, and expeditiously setting up a mechanism for regular consultation with the Central Government for both sides to adjust the quota annually according to the policy needs of Hong Kong;

     (2) establishing a dual vetting and approval mechanism for OWP in accordance with Articles 22 and 154 of the Basic Law and the Immigration Ordinance whereby the SAR Government can exercise the power to vet and approve entry for immigration and grant permission for OWP holders to come to Hong Kong for settlement only after verifying the authenticity of the documentary proof of family relationship between OWP holders and their family members who are Hong Kong permanent residents and the absence of record to the detriment of OWP holders (excluding past record of political prosecution), and that their family members who are Hong Kong permanent residents have sufficient financial means to support OWP holders' living at a standard well above the subsistence level in Hong Kong; and

     (3) stepping up efforts in combating bogus marriages to prevent lawbreakers from obtaining through bogus marriages the requisite documents to apply for OWPs to come to Hong Kong for settlement."

     Ms Claudia Mo, Mr Chan Hak-kan, Mr Wu Chi-wai and Mr Gary Fan will move separate amendments to Mr Alvin Yeung's motion.

     Mr Poon Siu-ping will move a motion on reviewing the holiday policy. The motion states: "That this Council urges the Government to review the holiday policy and designate the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression as a statutory holiday."

     Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Andrew Wan and Dr Fernando Cheung will move separate amendments to Mr Poon Siu-ping's motion.

     Meanwhile, Dr Pierre Chan will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Specification of Date for Section 135(1)(a)) Notice and the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Specification of Date for Section 136(1)(a)) Notice, laid on the table of the Council on December 12, 2018, to the meeting of January 30, 2019.

     Ms Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure.  The motion states: "That this Council takes note of Report No. 8/18-19 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on January 9, 2019 in relation to the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulation 2018."
    
     On government motion, the Secretary for Security will move a proposed resolution under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance to seek the Council to approve the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Mongolia) Order, made by the Chief Executive in Council on November 20, 2018.
    
     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, January 7, 2019
Issued at HKT 17:48

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