Annual Report 2022

Members perform the functions of scrutinizing bills and subsidiary legislation, examining and approving public expenditure and monitoring the work of the Government through a committee system.

There are three standing committees of the Legislative Council, namely the Finance Committee, the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Members’ Interests. Standing committees, by virtue of section 9(1) of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382), may order any person to give evidence, while all other committees may also have this power, where so authorized by the Council, under section 9(2) of Cap. 382.

There are other committees of a standing nature with specific functions stipulated in the Rules of Procedure (“RoP”), namely the Committee on Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Access to the Legislature’s Documents and Records, the House Committee and Panels.

The Committee on Rules of Procedure reviews RoP of the Council and the committee system and proposes to the Council such amendments or changes as are considered necessary.

The Committee on Access to the Legislature’s Documents and Records determines whether a document or record of the Legislature (or its committee) should be made available for access earlier than the expiry of the closure period specified in the Policy on Access to the Legislature’s Documents and Records.

The House Committee considers any matters relating to the business of the Council and monitors progress made in studying bills and subsidiary legislation. Bills and subsidiary legislation that require more in-depth study are scrutinized respectively by Bills Committees and subcommittees, and these committees would report their deliberations to the House Committee.

The committees that monitor and examine policy issues are called Panels. There are currently 18 Panels, the formation and terms of reference of which were approved by the Council on the recommendation of the House Committee. Each Panel shall consist of not less than 6 members and not more than 20 members including the Chairman.

Apart from the above, an investigation committee may be established under RoP 49B(2A) (Disqualification of Member from Office) upon the moving of a censure motion under RoP 49B(1A). After completing its work, the investigation committee is required to report to the Council and is dissolved after tabling of its report.

Select committees may be appointed by the Council for in-depth consideration of matters or bills.

The Finance Committee is one of the three standing committees of the Council. It scrutinizes and approves public expenditure proposals submitted by the Financial Secretary (“FS”). Each year, upon FS’s presentation of the Appropriation Bill to the Council, the President refers the Estimates of Expenditure to the Committee for examination and the Committee holds a series of special meetings for this purpose. After the Appropriation Bill has been passed, the Committee carries out the function of approving proposals to change the approved Estimates. Besides, the Committee approves proposals from FS to expend money from certain Funds¹ established under section 29 of the Public Finance Ordinance (Cap. 2) pursuant to the Resolutions on the Funds.

The Committee shall consist of not less than 50 members including the Chairman. Members of the Committee shall be those Members (other than the President) having signified membership in accordance with the Finance Committee Procedure.

Major work

• The Committee deliberated and approved 70 financial proposals involving a total commitment of about $177.5 billion;
• The major financial proposals approved by the Committee included:
  • public works projects involving a total commitment of about $100.7 billion, which included redevelopment projects of Prince of Wales Hospital, Grantham Hospital and Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital totalling about $36.3 billion, and Yuen Long South development projects costing about $7.4 billion;
  • non-works proposals involving a total commitment of about $76.8 billion, which included the injection of $27 billion and $43 billion into the Anti-epidemic Fund for the implementation of the sixth round of relief measures and the 2022 Employment Support Scheme respectively; and
  • establishment changes arising from the reorganization of the structure for the sixth-term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
• The Committee held a series of special meetings comprising 21 sessions on 8 and 11 to 14 April 2022 to examine the 2022-2023 Estimates of Expenditure;
• Prior to the special meetings, members raised a total of 865 written questions seeking written replies from the Government on the Estimates of Expenditure. A total of 77 supplementary questions and requests for additional information were referred to the Government for reply after the special meetings. The Council passed the Appropriation Bill 2022 on 4 May 2022; and
• At the meeting held on 25 February 2022, the Committee passed a motion to amend the Finance Committee Procedure to specify the arrangements for Members who have not elected to join the Committee to participate in the proceedings of the Committee on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure.

[📄Report on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure 2022-2023]

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  These Funds include Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Loan Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, and Innovation and Technology Fund.

The Public Works Subcommittee examines the Government’s proposals to upgrade projects to or downgrade them from Category A of the Public Works Programme, or concerning changes to the scope of and approved estimates for Category A projects, and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee as appropriate. Projects belonging to Category A are those in all aspects ready for the award of contract and for construction works to proceed.

Major work

• During the session, the Subcommittee examined 34 proposals put forward by the Government, and recommended all of them to the Finance Committee for approval.

The Establishment Subcommittee examines and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee on the Government’s proposals for the creation, redeployment and deletion of permanent and supernumerary directorate posts, and for changes to the structure of civil service ranks and grades.

Major work

• During the session, the Subcommittee examined 15 proposals put forward by the Government, and recommended all of them to the Finance Committee for approval.²

The Public Accounts Committee is one of the three standing committees of the Council. It is responsible for considering the Director of Audit’s reports on the Government’s accounts, as well as the results of value for money audits carried out on the Government and other organizations within the purview of public audit.

Major work

• The Committee considered the Director of Audit’s Report on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended 31 March 2022, as well as Report Nos. 77, 78 and 79 on the results of value for money audits, and examined the following subjects contained in the Reports:
  • Highways Department: Maintenance of public footpaths;
  • Kai Tak District Cooling System;
  • Leisure and Cultural Services Department: Provision and management of sports grounds;
  • licensing and examination services for vehicles;
  • management of flushing water supply;
  • safeguarding employees’ rights and benefits under labour laws;
  • The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong;
  • Youth College;
  • Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation;
  • licensing services for drivers;
  • management of the development at Anderson Road project;
  • Technology Voucher Programme;
  • Continuing Education Fund;
  • District Health Centre Scheme;
  • Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark;
  • management of joint-user general office buildings and facilities by the Government Property Agency;
  • management of minor works by the Buildings Department;
  • provision of social welfare support services to street sleepers by the Social Welfare Department;
  • reconstruction and improvement of Tuen Mun Road; and
  • regulation of sales of first-hand residential properties by the Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority;
• The Committee held five public hearings for detailed investigation of four subjects selected from the above, namely Highways Department: Maintenance of public footpaths; safeguarding employees’ rights and benefits under labour laws; licensing services for drivers; and Continuing Education Fund;
• The Committee has decided to defer public hearings on management of the development at Anderson Road project to the next session in order to allow itself more time to consider the evidence and the issues raised about the subject;
• The Committee’s conclusions and recommendations made on the subjects of Highways Department: Maintenance of public footpaths and safeguarding employees’ rights and benefits under labour laws are contained in the Public Accounts Committee’s Report No. 77, which was tabled in Council on 13 July 2022; and
• The Committee has planned to table the Public Accounts Committee’s Report Nos. 78, 78A and 79 in Council in the next session.

[📄Reports of the Committee]

The Committee on Members’ Interests is one of the three standing committees of the Council. It examines the arrangements made for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members’ Interests. It considers and investigates complaints in relation to Members’ registration and declaration of interests and their conduct concerning claims for the reimbursement of operating expenses or applications for advance of operating funds. It also considers matters of ethics in relation to Members’ conduct in their capacity as such, and gives advice and issues guidelines on such matters, etc.

Major work

• During the session, the Committee received one complaint and handled it in accordance with the Procedure of the Committee on Members’ Interests for Handling Complaints.

The Committee on Rules of Procedure reviews the Council’s Rules of Procedure and the committee system, and proposes to the Council any amendments or changes it considers necessary.

Major work

• The Panel on Home Affairs has been renamed as the Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, and the Panel on Commerce and Industry as the Panel on Commerce, Industry, Innovation and Technology to better reflect their respective TOR;
• Following the transfer of the policy portfolio on women from the Labour and Welfare Bureau to the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, the policy areas on “women welfare” and “Family Council” have been taken out from the TOR of the Panel on Welfare Services, and instead, “women matters” and “Family Council” have been added to the TOR of the Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports;
• Following the transfer of the Hong Kong Observatory under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau to the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the policy area on “weather information services” has been transferred from the Panel on Economic Development to the Panel on Environmental Affairs; and
• The policy area on “energy supply and safety” has been transferred from the Panel on Economic Development to the Panel on Environmental Affairs.

[📄Report of the Committee]

The Committee on Access to the Legislature’s Documents and Records determines whether a document or record of the Legislature (or its committee) should be made available for access earlier than the expiry of the closure period specified in the Policy on Access to the Legislature’s Documents and Records (“the Policy”) (Schedule 2 to the Rules of Procedure); sets guidelines for implementing the Policy; considers any objection against the denial of access to such a document or record by the Clerk to the Legislative Council; and considers any other matter relating to or arising from the Policy.

Major work

• The Committee approved access requests from Members/the Administration/public organizations/members of the public for closed documents and records of the Legislature before expiry of the closure period specified in the Policy [List of approved cases and list of denied cases]; and
• In accordance with the Policy, the Committee conducted reviews on the time-expired documents and records to see whether access could be made available [List of time-expired documents and records disclosed].

The House Committee normally meets weekly on Fridays to prepare for meetings of the Council and considers matters relating to the Council’s business while the Council is in session. An important function of the Committee is to decide the manner of consideration of bills introduced into the Council and subsidiary legislation tabled in Council or presented to the Council for approval. The Committee also serves as a focal point for establishing a formal and regular dialogue with the Government. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee meet with the Chief Secretary for Administration on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual concern.

The Committee shall consist of not less than 50 members including the Chairman. Members of the Committee shall be those Members (other than the President) having signified membership in accordance with the House Rules.

Major work

• The Committee considered 24 bills introduced into the Council and formed 17 Bills Committees to scrutinize bills;
• The Committee considered 202 items of subsidiary legislation and 12 proposed resolutions presented by the Government, and formed 20 subcommittees to study 62 items of subsidiary legislation (including 57 items of subsidiary legislation subject to negative vetting and five proposed resolutions which relate to subsidiary legislation subject to positive vetting). Among the above 57 items of subsidiary legislation, the Committee referred 30 items which were made under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) to the Subcommittee on Subsidiary Legislation Relating to the Prevention and Control of Disease set up under the Committee for consideration; and
• In addition, the Committee formed two subcommittees to study the Emergency (Date of Election) (Sixth Term Chief Executive) Regulation and related issues, and the proposal for reorganizing the government structure and related matters respectively.

Subcommittees of the House Committee

The House Committee may appoint a subcommittee to assist its consideration of (a) an item of subsidiary legislation or an instrument made under an ordinance; or (b) an issue of public concern which falls outside the purview of Panels or straddles the purview of a number of Panels; or (c) any other matter relating to the business of the Council. A subcommittee appointed to consider items (a) and (c) shall consist of not less than 3 members and not more than 15 members including the Chairman whereas a subcommittee appointed to consider item (b) shall consist of not less than 3 members and not more than 20 members including the Chairman. The following subcommittees were in operation during the session.

The House Committee may allocate bills, other than the Appropriation Bill and bills not referred to the House Committee by the Council, to Bills Committees for detailed scrutiny. A Bills Committee will consider the principles and merits of the bill concerned and its detailed provisions, and may propose amendments to the bill. It shall consist of not less than 3 members and not more than 15 members including the Chairman. The Chairman of each Bills Committee is elected from among its members. After a Bills Committee has completed scrutiny of a bill, it notifies the House Committee and advises the Committee in writing of its deliberations. Bills Committees are dissolved upon enactment of the bills concerned or as decided by the House Committee.

The maximum number of Bills Committees that may be in operation at any one time is limited to 16. When more than 16 Bills Committees are formed, a queuing system will automatically be activated.

The House Committee may appoint subcommittees to assist its consideration of subsidiary legislation and instruments made under relevant ordinances. A subcommittee will consider the policy aspects of the subsidiary legislation/instrument concerned, its detailed provisions and amendments, if any, to the subsidiary legislation/instrument. The Chairman of each subcommittee is elected from among its members. A subcommittee reports its deliberations to the House Committee upon completion of scrutiny work. There is no restriction on the maximum number of such subcommittees operating at any one time.

Panels are committees of the Council. They provide a forum for Members to deliberate on policy matters and study issues relating to the policy areas of their corresponding bureaux which are of public concern. Items for discussion can be brought up by members of the Panel, referred to it by the House Committee or other committees, proposed by the Government, or raised by other Members following meetings with District Councils or upon receipt of complaints or representations. Panels also give views on major legislative and financial proposals before their introduction into the Council or Finance Committee.

A Panel may appoint subcommittees to study specific issues and present reports to the Council as it considers appropriate. A Panel or its subcommittee may meet jointly with other Panel(s) or its subcommittee(s) to consider any matter of common interest to the Panels.

The chairman and deputy chairman of a Panel are elected by and from among its members.

The 18 Panels are:

• Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services
• Panel on Commerce, Industry, Innovation and Technology
• Panel on Constitutional Affairs
• Panel on Development
• Panel on Economic Development
• Panel on Education
• Panel on Environmental Affairs
• Panel on Financial Affairs
• Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene
• Panel on Health Services
• Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports
• Panel on Housing
• Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting
• Panel on Manpower
• Panel on Public Service
• Panel on Security
• Panel on Transport
• Panel on Welfare Services

The Panel monitors and examines, consistent with maintaining the independence of the Judiciary and the rule of law, policy matters relating to the administration of justice and legal services.

Major work

• The Panel was briefed on the policy initiatives of the Department of Justice, including the promotion and facilitation of wider use of LawTech, advancement in the rule of law, report on Hong Kong Legal Week 2021, and the establishment of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre;
• The Panel was briefed by the Judiciary Administration on the construction of a District Court Building at Caroline Hill Road and the legislative proposal in respect of the Family Procedure Bill;
• The Panel received briefings by the Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong on the progress on systematic review of statutory laws of Hong Kong, implementation of its recommendations by government bureaux/departments and its consultation paper on Cyber-Dependent Crimes and Jurisdictional Issues;
• Other legislative proposals which the Panel was consulted included the Arbitration and Legal Practitioners Legislation (Outcome Related Fee Structures for Arbitration) (Amendment) Bill 2022, the Arbitration (Outcome Related Fee Structures for Arbitration) Rules, the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Bill and the Mainland Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Reciprocal Enforcement) Rules; and
• The Panel was consulted by the Administration on the proposed judicial service pay adjustment for 2022-2023.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to commerce, industry, business and services promotion, innovation and technology (“I&T”), intellectual property protection and inward investment promotion.

Major work

• The Panel discussed the policies and measures related to I&T development in Hong Kong. Members suggested the Administration set up a government-funded investment institution with direct involvement in investments in I&T enterprises. Members also called on the Administration to attract overseas I&T talent to come to Hong Kong, as well as to nurture more local I&T talent;
• The Panel discussed the Administration’s measures to support reindustrialization in Hong Kong. In addition to introducing and developing high-end manufacturing industries, members called on the Administration to promote the upgrading and transformation of Hong Kong’s traditional manufacturing industries;
• The Panel discussed the Administration’s support measures to help small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) cope with challenges such as liquidity shortage, risks of extending export trade credits and lack of support for market development and business promotion amid the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as to help raise SMEs’ technological level, enhance their productivity and upgrade or transform their business processes;
• The Panel discussed the progress of the development of the Trade Single Window (“TSW”) in Hong Kong, and supported the financial proposal for the implementation of Phase 3 of the TSW System. Members noted that TSW would enable businesses involved in cross-border trade and logistics to streamline their submission workflows and alleviate the need for making duplicated submissions on multiple systems, thereby improving cargo flow efficiency; and
• The Panel received the Administration’s briefing on the key outcomes of the Twelfth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”), including securing the multilaterally-negotiated outcomes on a series of key trade initiatives, generally referred to as the “Geneva Package”. Members supported the participation of Hong Kong, China in WTO with a view to building a rules-based multilateral trading system to enhance the transparency of international trade and to facilitate trade.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visits

Visit to the Hong Kong Productivity Council

On 20 June 2022, the Panel visited the Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”) to better understand the work of HKPC and its latest research and development projects.

Visit to Hong Kong Science Park

On 28 November 2022, the Panel visited Hong Kong Science Park (“HKSP”) to better understand the work of HKSP in propelling the development of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology industry and supporting start-up companies.

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  Formerly known as Panel on Commerce and Industry and renamed since 26 October 2022.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to the implementation of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, relations between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) Government and the Central People’s Government and other Mainland authorities, electoral matters, district organizations, human rights, personal data protection and press freedom.

Major work

• The Panel was briefed on the major review findings of the Electoral Affairs Commission Report on the 2021 Legislative Council (“LegCo”) General Election. Members were satisfied with the overall electoral arrangement and noted that a series of new measures had been smoothly implemented, such as the adoption of the Electronic Poll Register system for the issuance of ballot papers and the setting up of special queues for electors in need;
• The Panel discussed the practical arrangements for the 2022 LegCo Election Committee Constituency (“ECC”) By-election. Members requested the Administration to review the electronic counting procedures for ECC ballot papers with a view to enhancing the efficiency of the workflow;
• The Panel was briefed on the Government’s work on promoting the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (“the Constitution”) and the Basic Law. Members considered it important for the public to have an accurate understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and made various suggestions on the relevant promotional and educational work;
• The Panel received a briefing by the Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission (“EOC”) on the work of EOC. Members expressed concern about EOC’s progress of work in tackling discrimination against Mainland people in Hong Kong and sexual harassment;
• The Panel discussed the implementation of the improved Administrative Guidelines on Promotion of Racial Equality. Members considered that public authorities should proactively provide language services to service users of diverse race to enable them to gain equal access to public services;
• The Panel received a briefing by the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (“PCPD”) on the work of the Office of PCPD. Members were concerned about PCPD’s enforcement work in tackling doxxing acts; and
• The Panel discussed matters relating to the meetings of the relevant United Nations (“UN”) committees for consideration of the reports submitted by the HKSAR Government under various UN human rights treaties. Members urged the Government to explain its policies and measures to overseas parties through various means and to dispel inaccurate reports and misunderstandings.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to lands, buildings, planning, water supply, development-related heritage conservation, Public Works Programme and other works matters.

Major work

• The Panel discussed various issues relating to the Government’s work in increasing land supply, including the development of the Northern Metropolis and the preliminary proposals made under the Study on the Artificial Islands in the Central Waters. The Panel was also consulted on a number of funding proposals for implementing land development initiatives such as the Yuen Long South development, and the relocation of Diamond Hill Fresh Water and Salt Water Service Reservoirs to caverns;
• The Panel was briefed on the Administration’s latest thinking in relation to a range of legislative proposals to streamline development-related statutory processes, as well as its proposal of rationalizing the compensation arrangements for landowners and business operators affected by government projects;
• The Panel received a briefing on the progress made under the policy initiative of Energizing Kowloon East. Members urged the Administration to step up efforts in improving the traffic conditions in Kowloon East and expediting the redevelopment of old industrial buildings in the district;
• The Panel continued to monitor the work of the Sustainable Lantau Office and commented that the Administration should adopt a more holistic and forward-looking approach to developing the transport and tourist infrastructures in Lantau, in order to address both the development and conservation needs;
• In examining the progress of the work of the Urban Renewal Authority (“URA”), members urged the Administration to set out clearly its overall urban renewal policy and gave views on the way forward for the work of URA; and
• The Panel was briefed on the implementation progress of various heritage conservation initiatives. Members urged the Administration to enhance collaboration across bureaux to preserve historic buildings and enhance cultural software in tandem to tell a good Hong Kong story.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to economic infrastructure and services, including air and sea transport facilities and services, postal services, consumer protection, competition policy and tourism.

Major work

• The Panel continued to monitor the implementation of the Three-Runway System (“3RS”) project at Hong Kong International Airport (“HKIA”). Members urged the Airport Authority Hong Kong to harness the development of the 3RS project to strengthen the collaboration of HKIA with airports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (“GBA”) and seize the opportunities arising from the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of GBA;
• The Panel discussed issues relating to the development of tourism in Hong Kong, including the work plan of the Hong Kong Tourism Board for 2022-2023, the implementation of the new regulatory regime of the travel industry, and the operation of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Members urged the Administration to get prepared for the resumption of tourism activities in post-epidemic era to facilitate the recovery of the travel industry and to strengthen the connection with GBA to promote Hong Kong’s tourism;
• The Panel was briefed by the Competition Commission on its work. Members requested the Administration to consider reviewing the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619) to strengthen the Commission’s enforcement power, enhance its prosecution efficiency and cope with the challenging global economic environment;
• The Panel was briefed on the updates on marine legislation, including the legislative proposals about the amendments to the conventions of the International Maritime Organization and to the Pilotage Ordinance (Cap. 84) and its subsidiary legislation; and
• The Panel was consulted on the legislative proposal to enhance the control and regulatory regime relating to the transhipment of alternative smoking products (“ASPs”) to alleviate the impact on air cargo transhipment business brought by the current ban on intermodal ASP transhipment.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to education.

Major work

• The Panel discussed twice the schooling arrangements and related support measures amid the COVID-19 epidemic. Members urged the Administration to help students enhance mental health and catch up with the learning progress;
• The Panel supported the Administration’s proposals to improve the manpower at the middle management level and rationalize salaries for school heads and deputy heads in public sector primary schools;
• The Panel received updates on the implementation of curricula of Citizenship and Social Development and Chinese History in schools, and made suggestions to improve the curricula;
• The Panel gave views on the Administration’s legislative amendment proposal on the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320) and Members’ bills to amend the Lingnan University Ordinance (Cap. 1165) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Ordinance (Cap. 1109);
• The Panel continued to follow up closely matters related to teachers’ professional conduct. Members considered it necessary to enhance the mechanism for handling of suspected professional misconduct cases, strengthen the professional training for teachers and extend the Basic Law and National Security Law Test to all teachers;
• The Panel exchanged views with the Administration on ways to promote home-school cooperation and parent education effectively;
• The Panel was consulted on a number of capital works projects, including one kindergarten education centre, two new buildings respectively for The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The Education University of Hong Kong, one new Vocational Training Council campus, and six public sector school buildings; and
• The Subcommittee to Study the Promotion of National and National Security Education established under the Panel commenced work in this session.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visit

Visit to the Patriotic Education Centre

On 7 January 2023, the Subcommittee to Study the Promotion of National and National Security Education visited the Patriotic Education Centre in Sha Tin to better understand its work in supporting the education sector to promote national education and national security education.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to environmental matters, energy matters (including energy supply and safety), conservation, sustainable development and weather information services.

Major work

• The Panel was consulted on the reorganization of the Environment Branch of the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the Environmental Protection Department to strengthen climate change actions, waste reduction and recycling, and various environment-related tasks;
• The Panel gave views on the Administration’s latest measures to improve Hong Kong’s air quality and achieve carbon neutrality. The Panel held a joint meeting with the Panel on Transport to discuss how to expedite adoption of new energy transport, in particular application of hydrogen energy for transport;
• The Administration consulted the Panel on enhancement of country park facilities, and new measures for management of wild pigs, including expansion of the feeding ban area under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170), increasing related penalty as well as introducing fixed penalty for illegal feeding of wild animals within the feeding ban area;
• The Panel received the Administration’s briefing on the progress of implementation of the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035, including legislative proposals to provide a legal framework for the regulation of disposable plastic tableware;
• The Panel exchanged views with the Administration on the review of the process stipulated under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) to further improve the environmental impact assessment mechanism, with a view to optimizing the relevant procedures and operational efficiency;
• The Panel discussed the annual tariff reviews with the Administration and the two power companies, and passed a motion urging the Administration to suppress tariff increase in the next review and provide more electricity charges subsidies and relief to electricity users; and
• The Subcommittee to Study Policy Issues Relating to Municipal Solid Waste Charging, Recovery and Recycling established under the Panel commenced work in this session.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visit

Visit to waste treatment and resource recovery facilities

On 13 October 2022, the Subcommittee to Study Policy Issues Relating to Municipal Solid Waste Charging, Recovery and Recycling visited GREEN@TUEN MUN (one of the Recycling Stations of the community recycling network “GREEN@COMMUNITY”), Y•PARK (a yard waste recycling centre) and T•PARK (a sludge treatment facility) to better understand the work of the Environmental Protection Department on promoting waste-to-energy and waste-to-resources transformation as well as community participation in resource recovery.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to financial and finance matters.

Major work

• The Panel exchanged views with the Financial Secretary on matters relating to Hong Kong’s macro-economic situations. Issues of concern raised by Members included the Administration’s risk management measures to consolidate Hong Kong’s financial market against shockwaves arising from the turbulent geopolitical and economic climate, measures to assist small and medium-sized enterprises to tide over the current economic doldrums, and impact of interest rate hikes on the property market;
• During briefings by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Members discussed with the Authority subjects including impacts of the interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve of the United States on the Hong Kong dollar interbank rates and the stability of the banking system, and measures introduced by the banking industry to help local enterprises cope with the challenges amid the COVID-19 epidemic;
• The Panel received the Administration’s briefing on the legislative proposal to provide tax concession for eligible family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by single family offices in Hong Kong. Members supported the proposal and made suggestions to enhance its competitiveness;
• The Panel continued to monitor progress of the development of the electronic mandatory provident fund platform (“eMPF Platform”) project. Members stressed the need for the Administration and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority to ensure a high digital take-up rate when the eMPF Platform become fully operational in 2025, and to closely monitor the development of the project to ensure its timely completion; and
• The Panel discussed various initiatives for promoting the development of green and sustainable finance in Hong Kong. Members urged the Administration to strengthen its liaison with the relevant Mainland authorities and parties, including those in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to attract more municipal governments and corporates in the Mainland to use Hong Kong’s platform for issuing green bonds, as well as introduce facilitative measures to help issuers launch different types of green and sustainable financial products in Hong Kong.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to food safety, environmental hygiene and agriculture and fisheries.

Major work

• The Panel received from the Administration a briefing on the implementation progress of the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots. The Administration was urged to take more stringent enforcement actions and other necessary measures to consolidate the improvements achieved in environmental hygiene in various districts;
• The Panel was consulted on the Administration’s preliminary proposal to raise the existing fixed penalty of $1,500 for the scheduled offences under the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570). Members expressed support for the general direction of the proposal and noted that the Administration would conduct a public consultation before finalizing its proposal;
• Members were supportive of the Administration’s proposals to make two separate injections of $500 million each into the Sustainable Agricultural Development Fund and the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund to provide more resources to and expand the coverage of the two Funds. They also welcomed the Administration’s plan to collaborate with the agriculture and fisheries industry to formulate a blueprint for the sustainable development of agriculture and fisheries;
• Members expressed concern about the progress made by the Administration in taking forward the Market Modernization Programme (“MMP”). They suggested the Administration set performance targets as well as medium- or long-term Key Performance Indicators for the relevant directorate staff, so as to ensure early and timely completion of MMP projects as well as new public market development projects;
• When receiving the Administration’s annual update on the implementation of the Food Surveillance Programme, members expressed concern over the Centre for Food Safety’s surveillance work in respect of food put up for sale online and imported frozen foods during the COVID-19 epidemic; and
• Members in general were supportive of the direction of the Administration’s proposals to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169) to impose a positive “duty of care” on persons responsible for animals, enhance provisions for prevention of animal cruelty and enhance enforcement powers to prevent and protect animals from suffering.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visit

Visit to Aberdeen Market

On 5 October 2022, the Panel visited Aberdeen Market to better understand the progress of the overhaul works as well as the modernized facilities to be provided in the said market.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to medical and health services.

Major work

• Members actively and closely monitored the Administration’s measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Hong Kong through discussing them at the regular monthly meetings of the Panel. Members made various suggestions on the tightening or relaxing of the Administration’s anti-epidemic measures at different stages of the epidemic;
• Members expressed grave concern about the problem of healthcare manpower shortage. Some members supported the Administration’s plan to explore, by way of legislation, mandating doctors to serve in the public healthcare institutions for a specified period. Some members also supported the admission of non-locally trained dentists, nurses and multi-disciplinary healthcare personnel by way of legislation;
• A number of members were strongly dissatisfied with the Medical Council of Hong Kong (“MCHK”) for having cancelled the Clinical Examination of the Licensing Examination for non-locally trained doctors (“NLTDs”) four times between May 2020 and May 2022. Some members suggested authorizing other institutions to conduct the relevant examination, and increasing the annual number of sittings or quotas of candidates. The Administration was also requested to withdraw MCHK’s power to approve the admission of NLTDs;
• Regarding the medium of instruction (“MOI”) as one of the criteria for the Special Registration Committee to assess non-local medical programmes under the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161), a number of members pointed out that Cap. 161 did not provide that such MOI had to be English. The relevant statutory provisions were intended to attract more quality NLTDs to practise in Hong Kong, and MOI of medical programmes was irrelevant to the quality of doctors. Confining MOI of recognized non-local medical programmes to English only would render holders of Mainland medical qualifications with Chinese as MOI of the relevant medical programmes unable to practise in Hong Kong through the special registration route; and
• Some members suggested that the Government should conduct a comprehensive review of the policy objectives, service scope and service delivery model of dental care services. Regarding the Administration’s preliminary legislative proposal to amend the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359), some members expressed their support while some other members considered that the Administration could explore launching a pilot scheme to first allow physiotherapists and occupational therapists to directly treat patients’ symptoms which had been diagnosed by doctors.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to district, community and rural matters, civic education, building management, youth matters, women matters, Family Council, provision of leisure and cultural services, development of arts and culture, public entertainment, sports and recreation.

Major work

• The Panel supported the proposed construction of the Heritage Conservation and Resource Centre as well as the New Territories East Cultural Centre. Members considered that the proposed cultural facilities would enhance Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange;
• The Panel was consulted on the proposed construction of Yau Ma Tei Theatre (“YMTT”) Phase 2. Members called on the Administration to develop YMTT into a cultural landmark and a tourist attraction by improving the overall environment and cultural ambience of the area;
• The Panel discussed the proposed redevelopment of Yuen Long Stadium (“YLS”). Members considered that the redevelopment would upgrade YLS to allow the hosting of international football matches and large-scale athletics events, which would be beneficial to the sports development in Hong Kong;
• The Panel was consulted on the proposed main construction works by the Hong Kong Association of Youth Development for the youth hostel project in Mong Kok. Members requested the Administration to expedite the implementation of the proposed project so as to increase the supply of youth hostel places and benefit more young people in need;
• The Panel supported the Government’s plan to set up District Services and Community Care Teams (“Care Teams”) in the 18 districts. Members made various suggestions on the work of Care Teams;
• The Panel supported the legislative proposals for refining the operation of the Rural Representative (“RR”) election, which included, among others, introducing a statutory oath-taking requirement for persons elected as RRs; and
• The Panel discussed the “Investigation Report on the Mirror Concert Incident at Hong Kong Coliseum on 28 July 2022”. Members requested the Administration to discuss the implementation details of the enhancement measures recommended in the investigation report with the performing industry and to explore all feasible measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.

Local visits

Visit to West Kowloon Cultural District and Hong Kong Palace Museum

On 10 May 2022, the Panel visited West Kowloon Cultural District (“WKCD”) and Hong Kong Palace Museum (“HKPM”) to better understand the latest development of the WKCD Project and the work progress of the opening preparation for HKPM.

Visit to Hong Kong Palace Museum

On 2 August 2022, the Panel visited Hong Kong Palace Museum to better understand its latest situation since its opening in July 2022.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to private and public housing.

Major work

• The Panel discussed the implementation progress of projects under the Funding Scheme to Support Transitional Housing Projects by Non-‍government Organisations. Members urged the Administration to improve the transport networks and provide more retail facilities, including wet markets, for tenants of transitional housing projects in remote areas;
• The Panel discussed the funding proposal for constructing 30 000 Light Public Housing (“LPH”) units. While supporting the proposal in principle, members expressed concerns about the popularity and occupancy rate of the LPH projects, given the remote locations of some of the identified sites. They also had reservation about the lump-sum funding arrangement for the proposal given the lack of details on the construction cost of LPH units;
• The Panel studied the effectiveness of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (“HA”)’s Modular Integrated Construction Projects, Design and Build procurement and other measures to expedite public housing construction. Members gave views on ways to compress the implementation timetable for public housing development projects; and
• The Panel discussed the 2022 Rent Review of Public Rental Housing by HA. Members considered that in order to ease the financial burden of public rental housing tenants under the COVID-19 epidemic, HA should extend the rent waiver period from 12 to 24 months. HA should also consider reviewing the prevailing rent adjustment mechanism to take into account factors such as inflation and tenants’ living expenses in order to reflect tenants’ expenditures and affordability in a more timely and holistic manner.
• The Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Grass-roots Tenants established under the Panel commenced work in this session.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Visit to transitional housing projects

On 6 June 2022, the Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Grass-roots Tenants visited two transitional housing projects in Yuen Long to better understand the implementation and work progress of the projects.

Visit to families at sub-divided units and transitional housing projects in hotels/guesthouses

On 9 August 2022, the Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Grass-root Tenants visited families at sub-divided units and transitional housing projects in a hotel and a guesthouse to learn about the living environment of grass-roots families.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to information technology, telecommunications, broadcasting, film services and creative industry.

Major work

• The Panel continued to monitor the Government’s work in taking forward various initiatives to develop Hong Kong into a smart city, including the implementation of measures set out in Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0, the registration and usage of the “iAM Smart” platform, and the development of digital economy and big data analytics;
• The Panel discussed the use of technology in combating COVID-19 in Hong Kong, including the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application, the “Vaccine Pass” and “health code” mutual recognition arrangement. Members called on the Administration to establish mutual recognition of health codes arrangement with the Mainland so that cross-boundary travel could resume at the earliest opportunity;
• The Panel was briefed on the implementation progress of the real-name registration programme for subscriber identity module (“SIM”) cards. Members urged the Administration to provide support services to the underprivileged groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities who might encounter difficulties in the registration and use of pre-paid SIM cards;
• The Panel discussed the policies and measures related to information security. Members requested the Administration to step up public education and publicity to raise public awareness of online fraud and cyber security, attract more overseas cyber security technology talent and nurture homegrown cyber security talent, and collaborate with the Mainland authorities to institute a system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Members also gave views on whether cyber security-related legislation should be introduced; and
• The Panel discussed the latest development of the fifth generation (“5G”) technology in Hong Kong. Members called on the Administration to draw up an overall development blueprint to encourage the deployment of 5G technologies across trades and industries. To support smart city development, members suggested that newly completed buildings in new development areas should be equipped with fibre-to-the-home services.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to labour, manpower planning, vocational training and education, and qualifications framework.

Major work

• The Panel discussed and supported in principle the Administration’s finalized legislative proposal on abolishing the “offsetting” arrangement under the Mandatory Provident Fund (“MPF”) System in order to strengthen the function of MPF as an important pillar of Hong Kong’s retirement protection system;
• Members welcomed the Administration’s expedited actions in response to their calls for enhanced protection of employees’ rights by introducing amendments to the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) to clarify that employees’ absence from work for compliance with certain anti-epidemic requirements imposed under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) could be deemed as sickness days; and that dismissal of an employee by reason of his/her absence from work due to compliance with a movement restriction imposed under Cap. 599 would be considered as unreasonable dismissal;
• The Panel discussed and expressed various concerns on the legislative proposal to raise the penalties of occupational safety and health (“OSH”) legislation for better protection of workers’ OSH by enhancing the deterrence on duty holders. Members expressed particular concern over the large number of industrial accidents and fatalities in the construction industry. The Administration was urged to promote wider adoption of smart safety solutions in both public and private works projects to enhance construction safety;
• When discussing the implementation of the Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work, members expressed concern over the Programme’s service targets and eligibility criteria. The Administration was called on to conduct interim review(s) in about six months’ to one year’s time after the launch of the Programme;
• Members discussed with the Administration the implementation of the Statutory Minimum Wage (“SMW”) and the mechanism for reviewing the SMW rate. Noting that the Minimum Wage Commission would be invited to study how to enhance the review mechanism, members gave views on various issues;
• The Panel discussed and supported the Administration’s proposal to increase the payment ceilings for individual ex gratia payment items under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (“PWIF”) to accord better protection to employees affected by the closure of business of their insolvent employers. Members called on the Administration to review and explore whether there was room for streamlining the workflow for processing PWIF payment applications;
• The Panel generally supported the new initiatives to attract talents to Hong Kong as announced in the 2022 Policy Address. Members considered it equally important for the Administration to proactively enhance the competitive edge of the local workforce and facilitate the upward mobility of young people; and
• The Panel followed up with the Administration on various support services provided for job seekers with employment difficulties, including able-bodied recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, women, the youth, the middle-aged, and the elderly.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to the civil service and the staff of government-funded public bodies and other public service organizations.

Major work

• The Panel was updated on the establishment, strength, retirement, resignation, age profile, and gender profile of the civil service. Members considered that there was a need to attract talents to fill the vacancies as soon as possible and to tackle the succession problems by identifying adequate civil servants of suitable calibre for grooming and training to be future leaders;
• The Panel discussed the new selection and appointment mechanism for senior levels of the civil service. Members suggested that the Administration should ensure the upholding of the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” under the new mechanism and review whether directorate civil servants were allowed to have dual nationality or right of abode in foreign countries;
• The Panel exchanged views with the Administration on how to improve the performance management system in the civil service. Members in general considered that the Administration should review the appraisal mechanism, introduce measures to accurately assess civil servants’ performance, terminate the service of persistent sub-standard performers and develop a performance-linked pay policy and system;
• The Panel reviewed the provision of medical and dental benefits for civil service eligible persons. Members again urged the Administration to study the feasibility of taking out medical insurance for civil servants;
• The Panel continued to follow up closely the training and development for civil servants. Members urged the Administration to enhance civil servants’ understanding of the Constitution, the Basic Law, the National Security Law and national affairs; provide training opportunities at overseas renowned institutions to widen civil servants’ international horizons; and encourage continuous learning in the civil service; and
• The Panel reviewed the employment of Non-Civil Service Contract (“NCSC”) staff and urged the Administration to replace the NCSC positions with established long-term service needs by civil service posts.

[📄Report of the Panel]

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to security, public order, public safety, corruption-related matters, and nationality and immigration matters.

Major work

• The Panel followed up with the Administration on the progress of the preparatory work for enacting local legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law and refining laws relevant to safeguarding national security, and the strengthening of cybersecurity of critical infrastructure in Hong Kong. Members urged the Administration to take forward the above legislative work swiftly and drew the Administration’s attention to issues that needed to be taken into consideration in the preparatory work for the above legislation;
• On the handling of non-refoulement claims, the Panel called on the Administration to take firm actions to curb the claimants’ abuse of judicial review and legal proceedings to prolong their illegal stay in Hong Kong; reduce the number of claimants at source; step up enforcement against illegal employment of claimants; and enhance detention and removal of claimants. Members supported the updated removal policy to expedite repatriation of unsubstantiated claimants and the proposals to enhance detention capacity and management of immigration detainees, and welcomed the proposed introduction of an Advance Passenger Information system to prevent undesirables from boarding flights heading to Hong Kong;
• The Panel made suggestions to the Administration on strengthening its work to maintain the law and order in Hong Kong, in particular the work in preventing and combating deception, child abuse and terrorism, and on stepping up its preventive education and publicity efforts against drug abuse. Members supported the Administration’s legislative proposals to classify cannabidiol and nine other substances as dangerous drugs, and impose control on three precursor chemicals;
• On the prevention of and fight against corruption, the Panel acknowledged the work of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in enhancing collaboration and communication with anti-corruption agencies in the Mainland, Macau and other jurisdictions; and called for more efforts to address corruption in the accounting, building management and construction subsectors of the private sector; curb acts aimed to manipulate and sabotage elections; and get prepared for challenges brought by the wider use of technology;
• To ensure that the disciplined services departments would be adequately equipped to meet the challenges and their operational needs, the Panel supported the Administration’s various public works and financial proposals to enhance the information facilities and infrastructure of, and staffing proposals to strengthen the directorate support for the disciplined services departments; and
• The Panel gave views on and called for the early introduction of the Administration’s legislative proposals to empower the enforcement authorities to carry out fire safety improvement works for eligible owners of old composite and domestic buildings who had failed to comply with the statutory fire protection requirements, and to recover relevant fees from them afterwards.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visit

Visit to the Government Flying Service Headquarters

On 31 May 2022, the Panel visited the Government Flying Service (“GFS”) Headquarters to better understand the daily operation of GFS.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to transport matters (including those on railways).

Major work

• The Panel was briefed in April and November 2022 on MTR fare adjustment for 2022 and the review on the Fare Adjustment Mechanism (“FAM”) of the MTR Corporation Limited (“MTRCL”) respectively. Members noted that there would be no fare adjustment in 2022, and the overall adjustment rate of +0.5% for 2022 together with the cumulative adjustment rate of +2.85% would be carried forward again. Members expressed concern that MTR fare increase in the coming year might go beyond public affordability if the above adjustment were to be recouped, and urged the Administration to consider cancelling the rollover arrangement. As for the review on FAM, members suggested to add factors like “profit-link deduction” and “train service performance” to FAM, and to establish a “public transport fare stabilization fund” with dividends from MTRCL to moderate the fare increases of public transport services in Hong Kong;
• The Panel was consulted on the fare increase applications from the Hong Kong Tramways Limited and The “Star” Ferry Company, Limited in May and November respectively. Members were concerned about the operating difficulties faced by the two companies. They opined that the tramway and the Star Ferry were collective memories of the people of Hong Kong and worth preserving. Ways to enhance their non-fare revenue should be explored as far as practicable;
• The Panel was consulted on the proposed toll plan for the three road harbour crossings (“RHCs”) upon the takeover of the Western Harbour Crossing (“WHC”) by the Government in August 2023. Members generally supported charging different tolls at different time periods in the day to suppress excessive traffic of RHCs during peak hours. However, they were doubtful whether the proposed new toll of WHC, Cross Harbour Tunnel and East Harbour Crossing at $60, $30 and $30 respectively could induce an effective diversion of traffic among RHCs. Some members expressed reservation about the “two-step strategy” in implementing the proposed new toll and the trial of “time-varying tolls” one year after the new toll of the three RHCs took effect. They urged to implement both in one go;
• The Panel was consulted on a number of infrastructural projects, including the Universal Accessibility Programme; Lift and Pedestrian Walkway System between Saddle Ridge Garden and Sai Sha Road; Widening of Fuk Hang Tsuen Road (between Castle Peak Road–Lam Tei and Fuk Hang Tsuen Lane); Tsing Yi-Lantau Link–Investigation and Detailed Design; and Improvement of Lion Rock Tunnel–Detailed Design; as well as a number of legislative proposals to enhance passenger protection and road safety, law enforcement efficiency and the wider trial and use of autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong; and
• The Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways established under the Panel commenced work in this session.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visits

Visit to the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension Exhibition Centre and Admiralty Stations

On 6 May 2022, the Panel visited the East Rail Line (“ERL”) cross-harbour extension Exhibition Centre and Admiralty Stations to better understand the station facilities and relevant arrangements before the commissioning of the ERL cross-harbour extension.

Visit to the bus depot of Kowloon Motor Bus

On 10 June 2022, the Panel visited the bus depot of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited to better understand its daily operation and the progress of upgrading the fleet to electric buses.

Visit to the Citybus Limited

On 19 August 2022, the Panel visited the Citybus Limited to better understand and observe its facilities, including the world’s first tri-axle hydrogen fuel cell double deck bus.

Visit to Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel and Cross Bay Link, Tseung Kwan O

On 15 November 2022, the Panel visited Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel and Cross Bay Link, Tseung Kwan O to better understand the latest situation of the two highway projects before their commissioning on 11 December 2022.

The Panel monitors and examines government policies and issues of public concern relating to welfare, rehabilitation services, poverty and social enterprise.

Major work

• The Panel made suggestions to the Administration to enhance the capabilities of residential care homes (“RCHs”) in fighting against COVID-19. Members also gave views on the Administration’s legislative proposals on enhancing the quality of RCHs;
• The Panel discussed with the Administration on its prevention and response strategies regarding the prevention of child abuse cases. Members also made suggestions on the Administration’s legislative proposal on mandatory reporting requirements for suspected child abuse cases;
• The Panel received an update on the Administration’s plans on welfare facility projects funded by the Lotteries Fund; subvention and subsidies provided to welfare service operators; and the follow-up work on the Elderly Services Programme Plan;
• The Panel discussed with the Administration on its policies, measures and initiatives to enhance the support and assistance to the underprivileged groups in the community, such as the elderly and the ethnic minorities;
• The Panel was briefed on the measures and follow-up work to enhance support for carers. Members requested the Administration to provide a range of comprehensive services in support of carers and strengthen its measures to prevent the recurrence of family tragedies involving carers;
• The Panel discussed with the Administration and gave views on social welfare benefits, including cash welfare to the elderly, the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, and the extension of the pre-application absence limit of the Social Security Allowance Scheme;
• The Panel discussed and supported the Administration’s proposal to amend Schedule 2 of the Social Workers Registration Ordinance (Cap. 505) so that a person convicted of any offence endangering national security shall be disentitled from being or continuing to be a registered social worker; and
• The Subcommittee on Increasing the Provision of Residential Care Places for the Elderly established under the Panel commenced work in this session.

[📄Report of the Panel]

Local visit

Visit to Children’s Residential Home

On 28 September 2022, the Panel visited Children’s Residential Home (“CRH”) of the Hong Kong Society for Protection of Children (“HKSPC”) to observe its facilities and exchange views with the senior management of HKSPC on the current operation of CRH as well as its reform project.