LegCo Paper No. CB(3) 879/95-96

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MINUTES
No. 32 of 1995/96

Minutes of the sitting held on Wednesday 5 June 1996 at 2.30 p.m.

Members present:

    President : The Honourable Andrew WONG Wang-fat, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Allen LEE Peng-fei, C.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Mrs Selina CHOW LIANG Shuk-yee, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Martin LEE Chu-ming, Q.C., J.P.
    The Honourable NGAI Shiu-kit, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable SZETO Wah
    The Honourable LAU Wong-fat, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Edward HO Sing-tin, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Ronald Joseph ARCULLI, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Mrs Miriam LAU Kin-yee, O.B.E., J.P.
    Dr the Honourable Edward LEONG Che-hung, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Albert CHAN Wai-yip
    The Honourable CHEUNG Man-kwong
    The Honourable CHIM Pui-chung
    The Honourable Frederick FUNG Kin-kee
    The Honourable Michael HO Mun-ka
    Dr the Honourable HUANG Chen-ya, M.B.E.
    The Honourable Emily LAU Wai-hing
    The Honourable LEE Wing-tat
    The Honourable Eric LI Ka-cheung, J.P.
    The Honourable Fred LI Wah-ming
    The Honourable Henry TANG Ying-yen, J.P.
    The Honourable James TO Kun-sun
    Dr the Honourable Samuel WONG Ping-wai, M.B.E., F.Eng., J.P.
    Dr the Honourable YEUNG Sum
    The Honourable Howard YOUNG J.P.
    The Honourable Zachary WONG Wai-yin
    The Honourable Christine LOH Kung-wai
    The Honourable James TIEN Pei-chun, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable LEE Cheuk-yan
    The Honourable CHAN Kam-lam
    The Honourable CHAN Wing-chan
    The Honourable CHAN Yuen-han
    The Honourable Andrew CHENG Kar-foo
    The Honourable Paul CHENG Ming-fun
    The Honourable CHENG Yiu-tong
    Dr the Honourable Anthony CHEUNG Bing-leung
    The Honourable CHEUNG Hon-chung
    The Honourable CHOY Kan-pui, J.P.
    The Honourable David CHU Yu-lin
    The Honourable Albert HO Chun-yan
    The Honourable IP Kwok-him
    The Honourable LAU Chin-shek
    The Honourable Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen, J.P.
    Dr the Honourable LAW Cheung-kwok
    The Honourable LAW Chi-kwong
    The Honourable LEE Kai-ming
    The Honourable LEUNG Yiu-chung
    The Honourable Bruce LIU Sing-lee
    The Honourable LO Suk-ching
    The Honourable MOK Ying-fan
    The Honourable Margaret NG
    The Honourable NGAN Kam-chuen
    The Honourable SIN Chung-kai
    The Honourable TSANG Kin-shing
    Dr the Honourable John TSE Wing-ling
    The Honourable Mrs Elizabeth WONG CHIEN Chi-lien, C.B.E., I.S.O., J.P.
    The Honourable Lawrence YUM Sin-ling

Members absent:

Dr the Honourable David LI Kwok-po, O.B.E., LL.D.(Cantab), J.P.
Dr the Honourable Philip WONG Yu-hong

Public officers attending:

Mr Michael SUEN Ming-yeung, C.B.E., J.P.
The Chief Secretary
The Honourable Donald TSANG Yam-kuen, O.B.E., J.P.
The Financial Secretary
The Honourable Jeremy Fell MATHEWS, C.M.G., J.P.
The Attorney General
Mr Haider Hatim Tyebjee BARMA, I.S.O., J.P.
Secretary for Transport
Mrs Katherine FOK LO Shiu-ching, O.B.E., J.P.
Secretary for Health and Welfare
Mr Joseph WONG Wing-ping, J.P.
Secretary for Education and Manpower
Mr Peter LAI Hing-ling, J.P.
Secretary for Security
Mr Bowen LEUNG Po-wing, J.P.
Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands
Mr KWONG Ki-chi, J.P.
Secretary for the Treasury
Mr KWONG Hon-sang, J.P.
Secretary for Works
Mrs Lessie WEI CHUI Kit-yee, J.P.
Secretary for Financial Services
Mr Leo KWAN Wing-wah, J.P.
Secretary for Economic Services
Mr Francis HO Suen-wai, J.P.
Secretary for Trade and Industry

Clerks in attendance:

    Mr Ricky FUNG Choi-cheung, Secretary General
    Miss Pauline NG Man-wah, Assistant Secretary General (1)
    Mr Ray CHAN Yum-mou, Assistant Secretary General (3)

PAPERS

The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Standing Order 14(2):

Subsidiary Legislation

L.N. NO.

1. Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation (Fees)(Amendment) Regulation 1996

224/96

2. Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles)(Amendment) Regulation 1996

225/96

3. Insurance Companies (Authorization and Annual Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 1996

226/96

4. Medical Practitioners (Electoral Provisions)(Procedure) Regulation

227/96

5. Immigration (Amendment) Regulation 1996

228/96

6. Registration of Persons (Amendment) Regulation 1996

229/96

7. Marriage Ordinance (Amendment of Second Schedule) Order 1996

230/96

8. Births Registration (Special Registers) Ordinance (Amendment of Fifth Schedule) Order 1996

231/96

9. Deaths Registration (Special Registers) Ordinance (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) Order 1996

232/96

10. Marriage Reform (Fees) (Amendment) Regulation 1996

233/96

11. Pilotage (Dues) (Amendment) Order 1996

234/96

12. Revised Edition of the Laws (Correction of Errors) Order 1996

235/96

13. District Court Equal Opportunities Rules

236/96

14. Labour Tribunal (General) (Amendment) Rules 1996

237/96

15. Tax Reserve Certificates (Rate of Interest)(No.2) Notice 1996

238/96

16. Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (Fees) Regulation

239/96

17. Merchant Shipping (Fees) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 1996

240/96

18. Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation

241/96

19. Rules of the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules 1996

242/96

20. Bank Notes Issue (Amendment) Ordinance 1995 (98 of 1995) (Commencement) Notice 1996

243/96

21. Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax)(Amendment) Ordinance 1996 (29 of 1996)(Commencement) Notice 1996

244/96

22. Judicial Officers (Tenure of Office) Ordinance (Cap. 433) (Commencement) Notice 1996

245/96

23. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Loans (Asian Development Bank) Ordinance) Order

(C) 54/96

24. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Partition Ordinance) Order

(C) 55/96

25. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Standard Chartered Asia Limited Ordinance) Order

(C) 56/96

26. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Lloyds Bank (Merger) Ordinance) Order

(C) 57/96

27. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Royal Bank of Scotland Ordinance) Order

(C) 58/96

28. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Deutsche Bank (Merger) Ordinance) Order

(C) 59/96

29. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Rainier International Bank (Transfer of Hong Kong Undertaking) Ordinance) Order

(C) 60/96

Sessional Papers 1995/96

No. 85

-

The Government Minute in Response to Report No.25A of the Public Accounts Committee dated February 1996

No. 86

-

Report of the Special Meetings of the Finance Committee on the Draft Estimates of Expenditure 1996-97

Addresses

The Chief Secretary presented "The Government Minute in Response to Report No.25A of the Public Accounts Committee dated February 1996" and addressed the Council.

A Member asked a question for elucidation and the Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.

Dr YEUNG Sum presented the "Report of the Special Meetings of the Finance Committee on the Draft Estimates of Expenditure 1996-97" and addressed the Council.

Mr Fred LI addressed the Council on the Pesticides (Amendment) Regulation 1996 and the Country Parks and Special Areas (Amendment) Regulation 1996 which were laid on the table of the Council at the sitting on 15 May 1996.

QUESTIONS

1. Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong asked Question 1.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

2. Mr CHENG Yiu-tong asked Question 2.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

3. Mr SIN Chung-kai asked Question 3.

The Secretary for Economic Services replied.

Four Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Economic Services replied.

4. Mr IP Kwok-him asked Question 4.

The Secretary for Security replied.

Eight Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Security replied.

5. Mrs Miriam LAU asked Question 5.

The Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.

Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.

6. Mr WONG Wai-yin asked Question 6.

The Secretary for Security replied.

Four Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Security replied.

Written replies to Questions 7 to 20 were tabled for Members’ information.

MOTIONS

PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE

The Secretary for Transport moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That the franchise conferring the right on Citybus Limited to operate a public bus service on the routes specified in the Schedule of Routes (Citybus Limited) Order 1996 (L.N. 156 of 1996) and in any subsequent order made by the Governor in Council shall not, for the entire period of the franchise, be subject to sections 27, 28, 29 and 31 in Part V of the Public Bus Services Ordinance.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ORDINANCE

The Secretary for the Treasury moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That the Matrimonial Causes (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 1996, made by the Chief Justice on 13th May 1996, be approved.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

BILLS

FIRST READING

Banking (Amendment) Bill 1996

Aviation Security Bill

New Territories Land Exchange Entitlements (Redemption) Bill

The bills were read the first time and ordered to be set down for second reading pursuant to Standing Order 41(3).

SECOND READING

Banking (Amendment) Bill 1996

The Secretary for Financial Services moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

Question on the second reading proposed. The President stated that in accordance with Standing Orders, the debate was adjourned and the bill was referred to the House Committee.

Aviation Security Bill

The Secretary for Security moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

Question on the second reading proposed. The President stated that in accordance with Standing Orders, the debate was adjourned and the bill was referred to the House Committee.

New Territories Land Exchange Entitlements (Redemption) Bill

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

Question on the second reading proposed. The President stated that in accordance with Standing Orders, the debate was adjourned and the bill was referred to the House Committee.

MEMBER'S MOTIONS

INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE

Mr Fred LI moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That in relation to the Waterworks (Amendment) Regulation 1996, published as Legal Notice No. 176 of 1996 and laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 15 May 1996, the period referred to in section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance for amending subsidiary legislation be extended under section 34(4) of that Ordinance until 26 June 1996.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE

Dr C H LEONG moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That in relation to the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Regulation 1996, published as Legal Notice No.191 of 1996 and laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 22 May 1996, the period referred to in section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance for amending subsidiary legislation be extended under section 34(4) of that Ordinance until 26 June 1996.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE

Mr LEE Cheuk-yan moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That in relation to the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (86 of 1995) (Commencement) Notice 1996, published as Legal Notice No. 184 of 1996 and laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 15 May 1996, the period referred to in section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance for amending subsidiary legislation be extended under section 34(4) of that Ordinance until 26 June 1996.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE

Mr LEE Cheuk-yan moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That in relation to the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (67 of 1995) (Commencement) Notice 1996, published as Legal Notice No. 185 of 1996 and laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 15 May 1996, the period referred to in section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance for amending subsidiary legislation be extended under section 34(4) of that Ordinance until 26 June 1996.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE

Mr James TIEN moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That in relation to the Waste Disposal (Charges for Disposal of Chemical Waste) (Amendment) Regulation 1996, published as Legal Notice No. 167 of 1996 and laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 8 May 1996, the period referred to in section 34(2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance for amending subsidiary legislation be extended under section 34(4) of that Ordinance until 26 June 1996.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

SLOPE SAFETY

Mr IP Kwok-him moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That, with the onset of the rainy season and in the view of the numerous precipitous and potentially dangerous slopes in Hong Kong due to its special geographical environment, the problem of slope safety will certainly become a cause of public concern once again, this Council urges the Government to face the problem by deploying more manpower to speed up preliminary surveys on slopes in the territory and, through enhanced publicity and educational campaigns, to urge all the government departments and owners of private properties concerned to shoulder the responsibility for surveying and improving slopes and retaining walls, in order to prevent the recurrence of landslips which lead to heavy casualties and to safeguard lives.

Question on Mr IP Kwok-him's motion proposed.

Three Members spoke on the motion.

At 5:50 p.m., the President's Deputy took the chair during the temporary absence of the President.

Another eight Members and the Secretary for Works spoke on the motion.

Mr IP Kwok-him replied.

At 6:38 p.m., the President resumed the chair.

Question on the motion put. The President stated that he thought the motion had been carried.

Mr CHAN Wing-chan claimed a division. The President then ordered the Council to divide under Standing Order 36(4).

The President announced that there were 38 votes for the motion and none against it. (Voting record in the Annex.) He declared that Mr IP Kwok-him's motion was carried.

INCREASING FUNDING FOR FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION

Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That, as the accumulated increase in funding for fundamental education during the past five years has lagged far behind the economic growth, this Council urges the Government to expeditiously increase the funding for fundamental education to make up for the shortfalls of allocation which has lagged behind the economic growth, to actively seek resources for reforming the school curriculum; increasing the number of teachers and strengthening their training; introducing modern teaching facilities; providing more space for school activities and improving the teaching environment, and to formulate promptly the timetable for implementing whole-day primary schooling and abolishing floating classes in secondary schools, in order to promote the overall development of students and enhance the effectiveness of school education.

Question on Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong's motion proposed.

Ten Members and the Secretary for Education and Manpower spoke on the motion.

Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong replied.

Question on the motion put and agreed to.

NEXT SITTING

In accordance with Standing Orders, the President adjourned the Council until Wednesday, 26 June 1996.

Adjourned accordingly at twenty-one minutes past eight o’clock.

Last Updated on 29 July 1999