LC Paper No. CB(3) 286/98-99
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MINUTES
No. 7
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 16 September 1998 at 2:30 pm
Members present:
President
The Hon Mrs Rita FAN, GBS, JP
The Hon Kenneth TING Woo-shou, JP
The Hon James TIEN Pei-chun, JP
The Hon David CHU Yu-lin
The Hon HO Sai-chu, JP
The Hon Cyd HO Sau-lan
The Hon Edward HO Sing-tin, JP
The Hon Albert HO Chun-yan
The Hon Michael HO Mun-ka
Dr the Hon Raymond HO Chung-tai, JP
The Hon LEE Wing-tat
The Hon LEE Cheuk-yan
The Hon Martin LEE Chu-ming, SC, JP
The Hon Eric LI Ka-cheung, JP
The Hon LEE Kai-ming, JP
The Hon Fred LI Wah-ming
Dr the Hon LUI Ming-wah, JP
The Hon NG Leung-sing
Prof the Hon NG Ching-fai
The Hon Margaret NG
The Hon Mrs Selina CHOW LIANG Shuk-yee, JP
The Hon Ronald ARCULLI, JP
The Hon MA Fung-kwok
The Hon James TO Kun-sun
The Hon CHEUNG Man-kwong
The Hon Ambrose CHEUNG Wing-sum, JP
The Hon HUI Cheung-ching
The Hon Christine LOH
The Hon CHAN Kwok-keung
The Hon CHAN Yuen-han
The Hon Bernard CHAN
The Hon CHAN Wing-chan
The Hon CHAN Kam-lam
Dr the Hon LEONG Che-hung, JP
The Hon Mrs Sophie LEUNG LAU Yau-fun, JP
The Hon LEUNG Yiu-chung
The Hon Gary CHENG Kai-nam
The Hon SIN Chung-kai
The Hon Andrew WONG Wang-fat, JP
Dr the Hon Philip WONG Yu-hong
The Hon WONG Yung-kan
The Hon Jasper TSANG Yok-sing, JP
The Hon Howard YOUNG, JP
Dr the Hon YEUNG Sum
The Hon YEUNG Yiu-chung
The Hon LAU Chin-shek, JP
The Hon LAU Kong-wah
The Hon LAU Wong-fat, GBS, JP
The Hon Mrs Miriam LAU Kin-yee, JP
The Hon Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen, JP
The Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing, JP
The Hon CHOY So-yuk
The Hon Andrew CHENG Kar-foo
The Hon SZETO Wah
The Hon Timothy FOK Tsun-ting, JP
The Hon LAW Chi-kwong, JP
The Hon TAM Yiu-chung, JP
Member absent:
Dr the Hon David LI Kwok-po, JP
Public officers attending:
- The Honourable Mrs Anson CHAN, JP
- The Chief Secretary for Administration
- The Honourable Donald TSANG Yam-kuen, JP
- The Financial Secretary
- The Honourable Elsie LEUNG Oi-sie, JP
- The Secretary for Justice
- Mr CHAU Tak-hay, JP
- Secretary for Trade and Industry
- Mr Nicholas NG Wing-fui, JP
- Secretary for Transport
- Mrs Katherine FOK LO Shiu-ching, JP
- Secretary for Health and Welfare
- Mr Peter LO Yat-fai, JP
- Secretary for Home Affairs
- Mr Leo KWAN Wing-wah, JP
- Secretary for Economic Services
- Mrs Rebecca LAI KO Wing-yee, JP
- Secretary for Financial Services
Clerks in attendance:
- Mr Ricky FUNG Choi-cheung, JP,
- Secretary General
- Mr LAW Kam-sang, JP,
- Deputy Secretary General
- Ms Pauline NG Man-wah,
- Assistant Secretary General (1)
Papers
The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Rule 21(2) of the Rules of Procedure:
| Subsidiary Legislation | L.N. No.
|
|---|
| 1. Telecommunication (Mobile Earth Stations) (Exemption) Order | 310/98
|
| 2.Rectification of Errors (No.3) Order 1998
| 312/98
|
Sessional Papers| No.21 | - | The Airport Authority of Hong Kong Annual Report 1997/1998
|
| No.22 | - | J.E. Joseph Trust Fund Report for the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
|
| No.23 | - | Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund Report for the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
|
Questions
- Hon Mrs Selina CHOW asked Question 1.
The Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.
Nine Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.
- Hon CHAN Wing-chan asked Question 2.
The Secretary for Transport replied.
Six Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Transport replied.
- Hon Albert HO asked Question 3.
The Secretary for Transport replied.
Seven Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Transport replied.
- Hon Howard YOUNG asked Question 4.
The Secretary for Economic Services replied.
Three Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Economic Services replied.
- Dr Hon HO Chung-tai asked Question 5.
The Secretary for Transport replied.
Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Transport replied.
Written replies to Questions 6 to 19 were tabled for Members' information.
Bills First Reading
Hotel Accommodation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1998
The Bill was read the first time and ordered to be set down for Second Reading pursuant to Rule 53(3) of the Rules of Procedure.
Second Reading
Hotel Accommodation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1998
The Secretary for Home Affairs moved the Second Reading and addressed the Council.
Question on the Second Reading proposed. The President stated that in accordance with Rule 54(4) of the Rules of Procedure, the debate was adjourned and the Bill was referred to the House Committee.
Members' Motions
Relaxing the ceiling for residential mortgage loans
Hon James TIEN moved the following motion and addressed the Council:
That, in view of the significant downturn in the property market in Hong Kong and the cessation of speculations on property, this Council urges the Government to relax the guideline on the 70% ceiling for residential mortgage loans, so that banks may, on the merits of individual cases and according to prudent principle, process residential mortgage lendings flexibly, with a view to assisting the public in buying their own homes.
Question on the motion proposed.
13 Members and the Secretary for Financial Services spoke on the motion.
Hon James TIEN replied.
Question on the motion put.
Hon CHAN Kam-lam claimed a division. The President then ordered the Council to divide under Rule 47(1) of the Rules of Procedure.
The President announced that among the Members returned by functional constituencies, 22 were present, 16 were in favour of the motion and six against it; while among the Members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections and by the Election Committee, 27 were present, 15 were in favour of the motion and 11 against it. (Voting record in the Appendix.) Since the question was agreed by a majority of each of the two groups of Members present, she declared that the motion was carried.
Promoting industrial development in Hong Kong
Dr Hon LUI Ming-wah moved the following motion and addressed the Council:
That, as the relocation of manufacturing industries out of Hong Kong has seriously affected employment opportunities and the balanced development of the economy in Hong Kong, this Council urges the Government to expeditiously set up an independent organization vested with administrative powers, such as an industrial technology council or an industrial technology commission, to co-ordinate and formulate a long-term industrial policy, so as to promote industrial development and economic prosperity.
Question on the motion proposed.
One Member spoke on the motion.
At 5:52 pm, the President's Deputy took the chair during the temporary absence of the President.
Another 10 Members spoke on the motion.
At 6:48 pm, the President resumed the chair.
Two further Members and the Secretary for Trade and Industry spoke on the motion.
Dr Hon LUI Ming-wah replied.
Question on the motion put and agreed to.
Next Meeting
The President declared that the next meeting of the Council would be held on 23 September 1998 at 2:30 pm.
The Council was adjourned at 7:27 pm.
(Mrs Rita FAN)
President
Council Chamber
Hong Kong
