LC Paper No. CB(2) 765/98-99(01)

LegCo Panel on Security

Revised list of outstanding items for discussion
(as at 2.12.1998)

A. Items proposed by members

1. Travel convenience for visitors to come to Hong Kong

Proposed by Hon Mrs Selina CHOW on 30 July 1998. The Administration has been requested to provide advance information on the Administration's efforts to enhance travel convenience for overseas visitors and visitors from Taiwan to enter Hong Kong. The Administration has provided the requested information which was circulated to members vide LC Paper No. CB(2) 202/98-99(02) on 1 September 1998. Members to decide whether it is necessary to follow-up on the issue.

2. Ambulance service for passengers using the new Airport at Chek Lap Kok.

Proposed by the Chairman on 24 August 1998. A copy of his letter is in Annex I.

3. Visa-free access for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Passport holders

Proposed by Hon Howard YOUNG on 30 July 1998. He suggested that the Administration be requested to update members in early 1999 on the promotion of visa-free access for the HKSAR Passport holders. The Administration proposes to discuss the issue in March 1999.

4. Policy on Frontier Closed Area and Closed Area permit

Proposed by Hon Andrew CHENG on 5 November 1998. The subject of the existing policy on Frontier Closed Area and Closed Area permit (CAP) was discussed at a meeting between LegCo members and the Provisional North District Board members. As the Police will consult the relevant parties on the procedures for issue of CAP in December 1998, members agreed to decide whether it is necessary to follow-up on the issue pending the outcome of the consultation.

5. Assistance rendered to Hong Kong residents who get into trouble in the Mainland

Proposed by Hon CHENG Kai-nam on 5 November 1998. He proposes to discuss the assistance rendered by the Administration to Hong Kong residents who get into trouble in the Mainland, e.g. commit crimes in the Mainland, involve in business disputes and being detained by the Mainland authorities, or being kidnapped, so that the rights of the individual in question are safeguarded. The Administration suggests the timing of discussion be around May 1999.

6. Assistant rendered to Hong Kong residents who get into trouble in Taiwan

Proposed by Hon Albert HO on 5 November 1998. He proposes to discuss the assistance rendered by the Administration to Hong Kong residents who get into trouble in Taiwan, e.g. commit crimes in Taiwan, involve in business disputes and being detained by the Taiwan authorities, or being kidnapped, so that the rights of the individual in question are safeguarded. The Administration suggests the timing of discussion be around May 1999.

7. Quality improvement in the Police Force

Proposed by the Chairman on 5 November 1998. The subject of service culture : improvement to police stations was discussed by the Panel on 5 November 1998 at which the Chairman expressed concern about the improvement to the quality of the Police Force.

8. Dangerous Drugs Ordinance - products with hemp

Proposed by Hon Christine LOH on 16 November 1998. A copy of her letter is at Annex II. The Administration has been requested to provide advance information on the subject matter.

B. Items proposed by the Administration

	Timing
1. Crime situation in 1998	Jan 1999
2. Taking of intimates and non-intimate sample (The item was originally scheduled for discussion at the meeting in December 1998)	Jan 1999
3. Licensing of Karaoke establishments	Jan 1999
4. Proposed amendments to Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance to strengthen our anti-money laundering regime	Feb 1999
5. Proposed registration scheme of drug treatment and rehabilitation centres	Feb 1999

Legislative Council Secretariat
2 December 1998

Annex I

(Translation)
(Letterhead of the Office of Hon James TO Kun Sun)

To:	Mrs Sharon TONG Clerk to Panel on Security Legislative Council
From:	Hon James TO Kun-sun

Inclusion of the issue on "Ambulance service for passengers using the new Airport at Chek Lap Kok" in the list of outstanding items for discussion by the Panel on Security

Summary of the issue:

On 11 August 1998, an air passenger with heart disease experienced a sudden heart attack on board an arrival aircraft. The personnel of the airline concerned, however, did not take the initiative to call a doctor for the patient immediately. Only after the family of the patient had asked if there was a doctor stationing at the Airport, did the personnel of the Airline told them that a doctor would only respond to their call if they undertake to pay a medical fee of $1,500.

The family of the patient has called the police with their mobile phone but they complained that the ambulance arrived at the scene after more than 20 minutes.

Mr. CHEUNG Kim-fan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department Ambulancemen's Union, told the press later that there was no ambulance stationing at the Airport. Ambulance respond to emergency calls from the Airport has to travel all the way to the Airport from Chek Lap Kok Fire Station, which is away from the Airport Restricted Area (ARA). Upon arrival at the gate of the ARA, the ambulance has to wait to be led by other vehicles into the ARA, which indirectly lengthens the response time of the ambulance.

He is also of the view that ambulance depots should be set up in the ARA, but the suggestion was rejected by the Fire Services Department on the ground of lack of resources.

Mr. POON Tak-lun, Chairman of the Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association, holds the view that the incident reflects the inadequacy of emergency ambulance service in the new Airport.

Members of the Panel on Health Services also express concern about the above-mentioned problems. HON Michael HO has contacted me, indicating that members of the Panel on Health Services would also like to join the discussion of the issue.

Enclosures: 3 pieces of press report on the incident dated 12 August from the Sing Pao Daily News