A 99/00-6(1)

Legislative Council

Agenda
Wednesday 3 November 1999 at 2:30 pm

I. Tabling of Papers

Subsidiary LegislationL.N. No.
1.Solicitors (Professional Indemnity) (Amendment) (No.2) Rules 1999 266/99
2.Tax Reserve Certificates (Rate of Interest) (No.7) Notice 1999 267/99

Other Papers

1. No.27-Land Development Corporation Annual Report 1998-99
(to be presented by Financial Secretary)

2. No.28 -The Government Minute in response to the Eleventh Annual Report of the Ombudsman issued in July 1999
(to be presented by Chief Secretary for Administration, who will address the Council)

3. Report of the Bills Committee on Electricity (Amendment) Bill 1999
(to be presented by Hon Fred LI, Chairman of the Bills Committee)

4. Report of the Bills Committee on Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Bill 1999
(to be presented by Hon HUI Cheung-ching, Chairman of the Bills Committee)

II. Questions

1. Hon CHAN Wing-chan to ask: (Translation)

As some ginseng and dried seafood shops are adopting unscrupulous business practices, such as using misleading price tags and giving inaccurate descriptions of products, in promoting their products, many residents and even tourists have been deceived and the reputation of Hong Kong is tarnished. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

  1. it will consider legislating to eliminate such unscrupulous business practices; and

  2. it has assessed if the Consumer Council's existing practice of disclosing the names of shops involved in unscrupulous business practices can act as an adequate deterrent?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Trade and Industry

2. Hon CHENG Kai-nam to ask: (Translation)

Regarding the Mainlanders' applications to the Legal Aid Department ("LAD") for legal aid in their lawsuits in Hong Kong in connection with their right of abode in the territory, will the Government inform this Council of:

  1. the total number of such applications received by the LAD in the first nine months of this year, together with a breakdown of these applications by the cause of action and, in respect of the approved cases among them, of the estimated total legal fee involved; and

  2. the resource constraints that the LAD was subject to in processing these applications?
Public Officer to reply : Chief Secretary for Administration

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

Regarding the problem of objects being thrown from a height, will the Government inform this Council of:

  1. the total number of cases handled involving the throwing of objects from a height in the past three years, the casualties involved and the number of cases in which the alleged offenders were convicted and, among the cases handled, the number of those which took place within the bounds of public housing estates, the casualties involved and the number of cases in which the alleged offenders were convicted; and

  2. the measures in place to prevent the throwing of objects from a height, and whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the current measure of installing videotaping systems in public housing estates as an aid to apprehending such offenders?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Security

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

At present, the construction works of the Hong Kong Housing Authority ("HA") are not regulated by the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123). Hence the design, construction as well as the structural safety of these works are not subject to the scrutiny of the Buildings Department. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the justifications for not subjecting the construction works of HA to the regulation of the Buildings Ordinance; whether it has considered bringing such works under the ambit of the Ordinance; if it has considered and decided to maintain the existing arrangement, of the justifications for that;

  2. in the light of the several jerry-building cases in the construction works of HA, whether it will reconsider bringing such works under the ambit of the Buildings Ordinance; if so, of the details; if not, of the reasons for that; and

  3. of the measures it will take to regain public confidence in the buildings developed by HA?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Housing

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

According to the report published by the University Grants Committee in October 1996, the age participation rate for first-degree courses in Hong Kong has reached 18% since the 1994-95 academic year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the age participation rate for first-degree courses in each of the past three academic years; whether the number of first-degree places has been revised to tie in with the number of prospective students in the relevant age groups in each academic year;

  2. how the above age participation rate compares with those of the developed countries or neighbouring territories; and

  3. of the criteria adopted for determining the target age participation rate for first-degree courses, and whether there is any plan to review or raise the target rate; if so, of the details of that; if not, of the reasons for that?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

6. Hon Howard YOUNG to ask:

Recently, many big trees were uprooted during the onslaught of typhoons. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. how the fallen tree trunks were disposed of; and

  2. whether it has explored the feasibility of selling these tree trunks to paper mills; if so, of its findings?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands

*7. Hon LAW Chi-kwong to ask: (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council of the new items of social welfare service intended to be implemented in the next three years as well as the resources involved?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Health and Welfare

*8. Hon SIN Chung-kai to ask:

The widespread unauthorized use of software in organizations will hinder the development of the software industry in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

  1. all Government departments have adopted proper software asset management ("SAM") practices; if so, of the details of the SAM practices adopted; if not, whether and when they will adopt such practices so as to set a good example;

  2. it has plans to promote the adoption of proper SAM practices in the private sector; if so, of the timetable in respect of the promotion exercise; if not, of the reasons for that; and

  3. it will require bidders of Government contracts to certify that they have adopted proper SAM practices to prevent the unauthorized use of software in their companies?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting

*9. Hon LAU Kong-wah to ask: (Translation)

Regarding the use of new technology to increase the efficiency of traffic management, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. whether it plans to install green signal countdown displays adjacent to the traffic lights to allow motorists sufficient time to get prepared; if not, of the reasons for that; and

  2. of the existing locations in Hong Kong where Intelligent Transport Systems have been installed to give motorists updated traffic information on the roads ahead; whether the Administration plans to install such systems at other locations; if so, of the details and schedule of its plan and the criteria for selecting such locations?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Transport

*10. Hon Howard YOUNG to ask:

The Chief Executive mentioned in his Policy Address this year that the Government will make land available along the waterfront to construct promenades and walkways so that residents and visitors can stroll along them to enjoy the beautiful scenery and refreshing sea breeze. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council if it has commissioned or sponsored any research on the urban skyline profiles on both sides of the Victoria Harbour, which will contribute significantly to the vistas and views from the promenades; if so, of the current progress or findings of the research; if not, of the reasons for that?

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

*11. Hon Mrs Miriam LAU to ask: (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council of:

  1. the procedure adopted for ensuring that vehicles intended to be imported for use in Hong Kong are in compliance with the emission standards stipulated by the laws of Hong Kong, and whether chassis dynamometers have been used to conduct sample emission tests on each shipment of imported vehicles; and

  2. the follow-up measures in place to regulate vehicles of a particular model which are found to have excessive levels of emissions after being used for only a brief period?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands

*12. Hon Cyd HO to ask:

It is learnt that medical waste incinerators in advanced countries are being closed down and replaced with more cost-effective and less polluting facilities, such as autoclaves and microwave systems. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

  1. it will consider alternatives to incinerators in treating medical waste; if so, of the details of the alternatives; if not, of the reasons for that; and

  2. it will conduct a feasibility study on using autoclaves and microwave systems for treating medical waste in Hong Kong; if so, of the details of the feasibility study; if not, of the reasons for that?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands

*13. Hon LAW Chi-kwong to ask: (Translation)

A two-year pilot project on integrated education was implemented in September 1997 to enable students with special education needs to study in mainstream schools. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether the steering group of the pilot project will be disbanded following the completion of the project;

  1. if so, whether it plans to set up a new group to oversee the implementation and development of integrated education;

    1. if it does, of the launch date, the composition and the terms of reference of the group; and

    2. if it does not, how it will ensure that the views of interested bodies will be fully considered and duly adopted in formulating and implementing the various policies on integrated education; and

  2. if not, of the changes that will be made in the composition and the terms of reference of the steering group?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

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

Will the Government inform this Council of the teacher-to-student ratio and the average cost incurred per student in each of the tertiary institutions under the aegis of the University Grants Committee; and how such figures compare to the average figures of tertiary institutions in advanced countries in Europe and America as well as neighbouring territories?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*15. Dr Hon David LI to ask:

The Government has taken measures to raise the qualifications of kindergarten teachers and principals since 1996. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it will consider allocating more financial resources to promote pre-school education?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*16. Hon Michael HO to ask: (Translation)

It is learnt that the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited has deployed a number of workers from Xiamen during the recent strike by its employees. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

  1. whether it knows the types of jobs in which these workers were engaged;

  2. whether they are residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"); and

  3. if they are not HKSAR residents,
    1. whether they are required to possess valid employment visas for working in Hong Kong; and

    2. the legal basis for permitting them to work in Hong Kong?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

*17. Hon LAU Kong-wah to ask: (Translation)

Will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:

  1. the respective numbers of passenger trips at peak hours and off-peak hours during the five-month period subsequent to the reduction of train frequencies by the MTR Corporation, as compared to the corresponding figures in the preceding five-month period;

  2. the number of passenger trips at peak hours during the three-month period subsequent to the withdrawal of the Staggered Hours Discount by the MTR Corporation, as compared to the corresponding figure in the preceding three-month period;

  3. if the MTR Corporation will conduct a review and take remedial measures, such as adjusting train frequencies, should it be confirmed that the number of passenger trips has dropped when compared to the preceding periods; and

  4. a breakdown, by the MTR lines, of the monthly passenger trips in each of the past 36 months?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Transport

*18. Dr Hon LEONG Che-hung to ask:

Will the Administration inform this Council whether there are plans to appoint patients' representatives as members of the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board and Occupational Deafness Compensation Board; if so, of the target date of such appointments; if not, of the reasons for that?

Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Education and Manpower

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

With regard to the operation of the Small and Medium Enterprises ("SMEs") Committee ("the Committee"), will the Government inform this Council:

  1. of the total number of meetings held by the Committee since its establishment, the topics and major contents of its discussions; whether the Committee has initiated studies on the relevant policies adopted at present, including the proposal to increase the amount of guarantee for loans provided under the $2.5 billion Special Finance Scheme for SMEs, discussed and responded to the policies on which it has been consulted, and made new policy proposals to the authority concerned;

  2. whether it plans to review the operation, functions and membership of the Committee, so as to strengthen the latter's role in supporting and promoting the development of SMEs;

  3. of the amount of funds allocated to the Committee since its establishment, and the usage of such funds; and

  4. whether the Committee has obtained any support or services from the Small and Medium Enterprises Office since the latter's establishment; and the relationship and division of responsibilities between them?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Trade and Industry

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

It was reported that a 13-year-old girl in school uniform and an 18-year-old young man had committed an indecent act in a public place. Meanwhile, a survey shows that almost 60% of the young people surveyed are agreeable to abortion, while 15% opine that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16 may have sex. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it has any plan to:

  1. help young people develop moral values generally acceptable to the community; and

  2. step up efforts to promote sex education among the youth?
Public Officer to reply : Secretary for Home Affairs

*For written reply.

III. Bills

First Reading

Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Bill 1999

Second Reading (Debate to be adjourned)

Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Bill 1999 : Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands

Second Reading (Debates to resume), Committee Stage and Third Reading

1. Adaptation of Laws (No.25) Bill 1999: Secretary for the Treasury
2. Electricity (Amendment) Bill 1999:Secretary for Economic Services
3. Shipping and Port Control (Amendment) Bill 1999:Secretary for Economic Services

IV. Members' Motions

1. The user-pays principle

Hon James TIEN: (Translation)

That, to ensure that the fees to be paid by the public and industrial and commercial establishments under the "user-pays" principle are reasonable, fair and affordable, this Council urges the Government to adopt effective measures to strengthen cost control in the government and quasi-government organizations concerned so as to cut down unnecessary expenditure on bureaucratic administration.

Amendment to Hon James TIEN's motion

Hon CHENG Kai-nam: (Translation)

To add "various" after "That, to ensure that the"; to delete "to be paid by the public and industrial and commercial establishments under the "user-pays" principle" and substitute with "charged by government and quasi-government organizations"; to add "to members of the public" after "fair and affordable"; and to delete "government and quasi-government" after "to strengthen cost control in the".

Public Officer to attend : Secretary for the Treasury

2. The composition of the Hong Kong Housing Authority

Hon LEUNG Yiu-chung: (Translation)

That, as many housing policies formulated by the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) have long been the subject of public criticism and with the recent surfacing of successive problems in the poor quality of public housing flats and substandard piling in housing construction works, this Council considers that the performance of HA, in both formulating policy or supervising construction works, has been very disappointing; this Council also considers that the root of all these problems lies in the fact that HA's members are all appointed by the authorities and lack representativeness and accountability to the public; in this regard, this Council calls on the HA members to resign collectively; at the same time, this Council urges the Government to over-haul the composition of HA by introducing a democratic election element in HA, including grass-roots representatives and enhancing the transparency of its operations, so that HA can be genuinely geared to the needs of and be accountable to the public.

Public Officer to attend : Secretary for Housing

Clerk to the Legislative Council