LC Paper No. CB(2) 382/98-99(01)

LegCo Panel on Security
List of outstanding items for discussion
(as at 8.10.1998)

A.Items proposed by members

1. Admission of children who have the right of abode under the Basic Law from the Mainland for settlement in Hong Kong

Proposed by Hon Mrs Selina CHOW on 30 July 1998. The Administration has been requested to provide advance information on the current situation of the subject. The Administration has provided the requested information which was circulated to members vide LC Paper No. CB(2) 202/98-99(01) on 1 September 1998. Members to decide whether it is necessary to follow-up on the issue.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

B. Items proposed by the Administration

	Timing
1.	Service culture: improvement to police station (The item was originally scheduled for discussion at the meeting in October. The discussion was deferred to the meeting in November as a result of heavy agenda in the October meeting.)	Nov 1998
2.	Taking of intimate and non-intimate sample	Nov 1998
3.	Control of dangerous goods (regulations on conveyance of Cat.3 & 4 dangerous goods)	Dec 1998
4.	Licensing of karaoke establishments (The item was originally scheduled for discussion at the meeting in October. The Administration proposed to defer the item to December as it had yet to consult the two Municipal Councils.)	Dec 1998
5.	Rehabilitation of offenders (legislative amendments to provide for new short term residential programmes for young offenders)	Dec 1998
6.	Proposed amendments to Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance to strengthen our anti-money laundering regime	Dec 1998
7.	Proposed registration scheme of drug treatment and rehabilitation centres	Jan 1999
8.	Control of dangerous goods (control framework for transportation of fuelled vehicles)	early 1999

Legislative Council Secretariat
8 October 1998

Annex

(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