Table of Contents

Chapter 9

Questions on the work of the Government
Introductory
Provisions under the Basic Law
Historical background
Meetings at which questions may not be asked
Notice of questions
Allocation of question slots
Registration of questions for obtaining question slots
Slots for oral questions
Slots for written questions
General principle
Allocation of slots for questions with the same content
Questions cannot be changed after expiry of notice period
Oral questions cannot be changed to written questions after expiry of notice period
Purpose and contents of questions
Purpose of questions
Contents of questions
Origin of the rules on the contents of questions
Adoption of Standing Order 18(1) of the pre-1997 Legislature as Rule 25(1) of the Rules of Procedure
Rule 25(1)(a): shall not include names or statements not strictly necessary
Rule 25(1)(b): shall not contain a statement which the Member is not prepared to substantiate
Rule 25(1)(c): shall not contain arguments, inferences, opinions, imputations or epithets, or tendentious, ironical or offensive expressions
Rule 25(1)(d): shall not contain independent questions or be too complex
Rule 25(1)(f): shall not seek information on matters of a secret nature
Rule 25(1)(g): shall not reflect on a court decision or prejudice a case pending trial
Rule 25(1)(h): shall not seek to obtain an opinion or solution of an abstract legal question or an answer to a hypothetical proposition
Rule 25(1)(i): shall not seek to confirm accuracy of press or individuals' statements or statements of private concerns
Rule 25(1)(j): shall not seek to ask about the character or conduct of the Chief Executive, Member of the Executive Council or Member of the Legislative Council, or any other persons except in their official and public duties
Rule 25(1)(k): shall not seek information already in accessible documents
Rule 25(1)(l): Questions already fully answered in the same session cannot be asked again
Questions relating to the Central Government of PRC
The President to determine the admissibility of questions
Questions with notices given
Urgent questions
Rule of anticipation
Communication with the Government regarding questions
Withdrawal of questions
Conduct of Question Time
Manner of asking and answering oral questions
Time limit for each oral question
Supplementary questions
Follow-up questions
Asking of urgent questions
Written replies to questions

List of Appendices

9-A

Form No. CB(3)-16 for registration of Council Questions

9-B

Form No. CB(3)-4 for giving notice of questions