Revised version

A 98/99-3(1)

Legislative Council

Agenda

Wednesday 15 July 1998 at 2:30 pm


I. Papers

Subsidiary LegislationL.N. No.
1. Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order 1998

272/98
2. Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No.2) Order 1998

273/98
3. High Court Suitors' Funds (Amendment) Rules 1998

274/98
4. Rules of the High Court (Amendment) (No.2) Rules 1998

275/98
5. Hire Car Permits (Limitation on Numbers)(Amendment) Notice 1998

276/98
6. Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) (Amendment) Regulation 1998 (L.N. 114 of 1998) (Commencement) Notice 1998

277/98
7. Hong Kong Airport (Control of Obstructions)(Repeal) Order 1998 (L.N. 116 of 1998) (Commencement) Notice 1998

278/98
8. Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) (No.2) Ordinance 1994 (63 of 1994) (Commencement) Notice 1997--Corrigendum

279/98
9. Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) (No.2) Ordinance 1994 (63 of 1994) (Commencement) Notice 1998

280/98

Sessional Paper

No.5-Report of changes to the approved Estimates of Expenditure approved during the final quarter of 1997-98
(Public Finance Ordinance : Section 8)
(to be presented by Secretary for the Treasury)

2.No.6-Sir Robert Black Trust Fund
Annual Report for the year 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
(to be presented by Secretary for Home Affairs)

II.Questions

Question permitted by the President under Rule 24(4) of the Rules of Procedure

Hon James TIEN to ask : (Translation)

Since the new airport at Chek Lap Kok came into operation on 6 July, Hong Kong's air freight services for the import and export of goods has suffered serious setbacks. Suffering from enormous financial losses, many firms have resorted to employing the air freight facilities at airports situated in neighbouring areas. The Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) recently announced that the suspension of air freight handling would be extended to 11:59 pm on 18 July. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it knows if HACTL is in a definite position to provide normal and efficient air freight services on 19 July, so that business firms can prevent further losses by having enough time for making early preparations?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Economic Services

1. Hon Fred LI to ask :(Translation)

Some villages in Northern New Territories are plagued by the problem of flooding every year, and the villagers have to ask the police for rescue in case of emergencies. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. whether it is aware of any social service agencies providing, on their own initiative, support services to the stranded villagers when serious flooding occurs; if such support service is not available, what the reasons are;

  2. whether it has any plan to enhance the provision of community services to these rural areas in the coming year; if not, why not; and

  3. whether it will consider setting up Neighbourbood Level Projects teams to serve these rural areas by re-deploying the resources saved from the authority's upcoming move to disband several Neighbourbood Level Projects teams; if not, why not?


Public Officers to reply :Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Works

2. Hon CHOY So-yuk to ask : (Translation)

It is learnt that tens of thousands of foreign domestic helpers are overstaying in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the number of foreign domestic helpers who are currently overstaying in Hong Kong;

  2. of the number of cases in which overstaying foreign domestic helpers were discovered, in each of the past three years and, among them, the numbers which are discovered as a result of on-the-street stop and search operations;

  3. of the measures it has adopted to combat the problem of foreign domestic helpers overstaying in Hong Kong; and the effects of these measures; and

  4. whether it will consider imposing heavier penalties on the overstaying foreign domestic helpers in order to achieve a deterrent effect?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Security

3. Hon Andrew CHENG to ask :(Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the respective Government departments the staff members of which are required, and those who are not required, to report for duty when tropical cyclone warning signal no. 8 is hoisted or a rainstorm black warning is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory; as well as the reasons for requiring or not requiring these staff members to report for duty;

  2. of the total number of labour dispute cases received by the Labour Department in the past three years arising from the question of whether employees had to report for duty when those signals were in force; as well as a detailed breakdown of the cases by nature (such as reduction of salary, dismissal) and their respective numbers;

  3. of the total number of casualties and fatalities when either signal was hoisted in the past three years, and their causes; and

  4. whether there is any plan to introduce legislation stipulating that employees in general shall not be required to report for duty when either signal is hoisted; if so, what the proposed legislative timetable is; if not, why not?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

4. Hon LEUNG Yiu-chung to ask : (Translation)

As quite a large number of elderly persons are waiting for places in various kinds of subvented homes for the elderly, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the respective numbers of eligible elderly persons who are currently on the waiting lists for places in care and attention homes, homes for the elderly and hostels for the elderly;

  2. whether it has assessed the amount of additional financial and manpower resources required every year in order to help the elderly persons in need to be admitted immediately to relevant homes for the elderly; if so, what the results are;

  3. whether it has plans to allocate additional resources so that the elderly persons in need can be admitted to relevant homes within a short period of time; and

  4. of its comprehensive plan to shorten the waiting time for places in subvented homes for the elderly?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Health and Welfare

5. Hon Michael HO to ask : (Translation)

It is learnt that the Hospital Authority (HA) applied to the Government in June this year for a provision of $416 million to replace the medical equipment in public hospitals that may fail to work due to the "millennium bug", and it was hoped that the provision will be granted in July. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the reason for the provision sought not being included in this year's budget;

  2. how the departments concerned will vet the funding request in respect of the equipment and what the progress is;

  3. whether the funding request will be submitted to the Finance Committee for consideration within the month of July;

  4. whether it knows if the HA, when purchasing the equipment, had requested the suppliers to provide equipment that is year-2000 compliant; and

  5. how the departments concerned will provide technical assistance to the HA in solving the problem of the "millennium bug"?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Health and Welfare

6. Hon CHEUNG Man-kwong to ask : (Translation)

The authorities have decided that, starting from the next school year, the size of each class in primary schools be increased by two students, and the plan of reducing the class size in secondary schools by five students be shelved. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council whether:

  1. it has evaluated the impacts of the increase in class size in primary schools on teaching quality; if so, what the findings are;

  2. it will examine and lay down the ideal class sizes for primary and secondary schools;

  3. it will consider not implementing that decision and, instead, setting thetarget for reducing the class sizes in primary and secondary schools; if not, why not; and

  4. it will consider constructing schools on the sites which are left vacant as a result of the freezing of land sales, so as to speed up the implementation of whole-day schooling at the primary level, and to achieve the ideal size target in all classes?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*7. Hon LEE Kai-ming to ask : (Translation)

Regarding the Government's pledge to inject $274 million into the Industrial Support Fund (the Fund), will the Government inform this Council, as at the end of June this year:

  1. of the total number of organizations which have applied for funding from the Fund and, among them, the number which have been granted funds;

  2. of the total amount of funds granted; and

  3. of the average amount of funds granted to each of the organizations?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Trade and Industry

*8. Hon SIN Chung-kai to ask : (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the listed companies which are being suspended from trading by order of the Securities and Futures Commission or the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, together with the reasons and the commencement dates for their suspension; and

  2. how it will protect the interests of shareholders of the companies concerned during their suspension of trading?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Financial Services

*9. Hon Christine LOH to ask :

Regarding the new gas-fired power plant proposed to be built by the Hong Kong Electric Company Limited (HEC) on Lamma Island, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the forecast growth in maximum demand in HEC's service area and whether it will adjust these figures in the light of the recent economic downturn;

  2. of the Demand Side Management programmes proposed by HEC and how HEC's estimated savings in demand of 0.1% compare to the best international practice;

  3. of the precise projected average net tariff increase for electricity following the construction of HEC's new power plant;

  4. whether the grid interconnection of one of China Light and Power Company Limited's (CLP's) 312 MW Black Point gas turbine units, at a cost of HK$468 million, could be expanded to other CLP units, thus precluding the need for a new power plant on Lamma Island;

  5. as the granting of approval for a new HEC power plant is conditional upon its being a gas-fired power plant, whether it has received any commitment from HEC that a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminal will be constructed in Shenzhen; and

  6. whether it has considered the alternative of building a new power plant in the Mainland, next to the LNG terminal, and making the power available to HEC through full interconnection with CLP, so as to preclude the need to construct a gas-fired power plant on Lamma Island?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Economic Services

*10. Hon YEUNG Yiu-chung to ask : (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council of:

  1. the number of unemployed people among the middle class in the past three years and the proportion of these people to the total number of the unemployed in each of the years; and

  2. the total number of middle-class people who have applied for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance since the Asian financial turmoil and, among them, the number of those whose applications have been approved?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*11. Hon SIN Chung-kai to ask :

In view of the advent of the information era and the advancement of technology, will the Government inform this Council of the measures it has taken to enhance the coordination and collaboration between the academic sector and the information technology industry, so as to speed up the development of information technology in Hong Kong?

Public Officer to reply :Secretary for Information Technology
and Broadcasting

*12. Hon Andrew CHENG to ask : (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the respective schedules laid down by public transport operators in the territory regarding the introduction of the "Octopus" system to the various modes of transport which they operate;

  2. of the progress of the relevant installation works to date, and whether the relevant targets can be met; if not, why not; and

  3. whether it will request bus companies to expeditiously and fully install the "Octopus" system, so as to facilitate commuters?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Transport

*13. Dr Hon TANG Siu-tong to ask : (Translation)

It is reported that a fire engine on a duty trip was recently trapped in the emergency vehicular access of a public housing estate because the cover of a manhole on the access was unable to withstand the heavy weight of the engine and cracked. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. whether the Fire Services Department knows about the inadequate loading capacity of manhole-covers in general in the public housing estates in Hong Kong; if so, when it knew about this;

  2. of the public housing estates in the territory which have a similar problem with manhole-covers;

  3. of the number of similar incidents in each of the past three years and of the locations at which those incidents took place; and

  4. whether it has any plan to resolve the above problem; if so, what the details are?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Housing

*14. Hon TAM Yiu-chung to ask : (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the progress in extending the operating hours of the Lok Ma Chau Crossing for travellers;

  2. of the measures to enhance the provision of the shuttle bus service at the Lok Ma Chau Crossing on Sundays and public holidays; and

  3. whether it will consider designating public bus or public light bus routes from Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi to Lok Ma Chau, so that it will be more convenient for residents of Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi to use the Lok Ma Chau Crossing?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Transport

*15. Hon CHEUNG Man-kwong to ask : (Translation)

With regard to the repair works for slopes situated within school boundaries or in their vicinity, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the number of such slopes for which it has issued Dangerous Hillside Orders; of the schools being affected;

  2. whether it has specified in the Orders the potential hazards of those slopes and the deadlines for the maintenance works to be carried out; and the progress of those repair works;

  3. whether it knows the problems which those schools encounter in handling the slope maintenance works, such as finding suitable contractors, the schools' lack of requisite expertise in following up the repair works and so on; and

  4. whether, in view of the high costs of slope repair works, it will provide financial assistance to the affected private schools and schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme for completing the works as soon as possible, so as to safeguard the safety of both teachers and students, as well as the public?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*16. Hon Emily LAU to ask :

In view of the reports about inadequate piling work for the northwest passenger concourse at the new airport at Chek Lap Kok, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council :

  1. of the investigations that have been conducted to ascertain the severity of the problem;

  2. of the findings of such investigations and the recommendations made; and

  3. whether the safety and normal operations of the airport have been affected?

Public Officers to reply :Secretary for Planning,
Environment and Lands

*17. Hon LEE Kai-ming to ask : (Translation)

When the Asian financial turmoil started last year, the Government supported the financial package organized by the International Monetary Fund to rescue the Thai baht by providing a loan of US$1 billion. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. how interest on the loan is calculated;

  2. when the loan is expected to be fully recovered, and whether it knows if the Thai Government has formulated a schedule for repayment of the loan by instalments; and

  3. whether it will review the mechanism for vetting and approving loans of this nature; if not, why not?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Financial Services

*18. Hon LEE Wing-tat to ask : (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the respective average vacancy rates in the shopping centres and markets in public housing estates in Hong Kong, and the vacancy rate in each of such shopping centres and markets;

  2. how the Housing Department will re-invite tenders for the tenancy of the vacant units; and

  3. whether the Housing Department will set upset prices for individual units when re-inviting tenders for the tenancy of the units; if so, how such upset prices are set?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Housing

*19. Hon Emily LAU to ask :

Will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

  1. of the total number of fatalities and casualties relating to the construction of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok and the connecting road network, and where and when such accidents occurred;

  2. how the accident rates in these constructions compare to the overall construction site accident rate in Hong Kong and to international standards; and

  3. of the measures to be taken to improve construction site safety?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*20. Hon LEE Wing-tat to ask : (Translation)

Regarding the industrial casualties relating to the construction of the new airport and the 10 Airport Core Programme projects, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the casualty toll from the commencement to the completion of the projects;

  2. whether penalties have been imposed on the contractors who have made mistakes on their part resulting in casualties among workers; and

  3. whether it will consider erecting a monument to workers who died while at work on the projects?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Works

* For written reply.

III. Bills

First Reading

1. Evidence (Amendment) Bill 1998

2. Supplementary Appropriation (1997-98) Bill 1998

Second Reading

Debate to be adjourned

1. Evidence (Amendment) Bill 1998:Secretary for Justice
2. Supplementary Appropriation (1997-98) Bill 1998:Secretary for the Treasury

IV. Members' Motions

1. Direct elections

Hon Andrew CHENG : (Translation)

That this Council is of the view that all Members of the Second Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should be directly elected in the year 2000, and that the Chief Executive for the second term of office should be directly elected in the year 2002.

    Amendments to Hon Andrew CHENG's motion

    1. Hon CHENG Kai-nam : (Translation)

    To delete "is of the view that all Members of the Second Legislative Council" and substitute with "urges the Government"; and delete "should be directly elected in the year 2000, and that the Chief Executive for the second term of office should be directly elected in the year 2002" and substitute with "to expeditiously conduct a comprehensive and in-depth review of the constitutional structure and to consult the public extensively, so as to determine whether or not to advance the implementation of direct elections of all Members of the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive".

    2. Hon Christine LOH : (Translation)

    To add "; and to this end, this Council urges the Chief Executive to set up forthwith a constitutional convention in which relevant constitutional issues can be discussed expeditiously and in an open and organized manner" after "and that the Chief Executive for the second term of office should be directly elected in the year 2002".

    Public Officer to attend : Secretary for Constitutional Affairs

2. Rescuing the service industry

Hon CHOY So-yuk : (Translation)

That, despite the fact that the service industry is an important economic pillar of Hong Kong, prolonged disregard on the part of the Hong Kong Government has resulted in numerous flaws in the legislation and policies on many trades, leading to an increasing reduction of its competitiveness internationally, which is aggravated by the exacerbated plight of a considerable number of main service trades in the wake of the Asian financial turmoil, this Council urges the Government to face up to this problem by consulting various trades and industries to seek their views and adopt effective and targeted policies and measures immediately, in order to improve the business environment of the service industry and relieve its plight, as well as facilitate expeditiously its development into a high value-added industry, and raise its service quality and competitiveness, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong position as an international service centre.

Amendment to Hon CHOY So-yuk's motion

Hon SIN Chung-kai : (Translation)

To delete "prolonged disregard on the part of the Hong Kong Government has resulted in"; to insert "exist" before "in the legislation and policies on many trades,"; to delete "as well as" from "as well as facilitate expeditiously its development into a high value-added industry,"; to insert "promote better use of information technology by the industry, enhance productivity and" before "facilitate expeditiously its development into a high value-added industry,"; to delete "expeditiously" from "facilitate expeditiously its development into a high value-added industry"; to delete "and" from "and raise its service quality and competitiveness" and substitute with "so as to"; to add "; at the same time, with regard to the financial services sector, this Council expresses disappointment that officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government have made self-conflicting remarks and inconsistent financial policies, and urges the Government to learn the lesson and avoid making the same mistakes" after "raise its service quality and competitiveness"; to delete "reinforcing" and substitute with "restoring"; and to add "financial, trade and" after "Hong Kong's position as an international".

Public Officer to attend : Financial Secretary



Clerk to the Legislative Council