LegCo Paper No. CB(3) 1006/96-97

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

MINUTES No. 31 of 1996-97
Minutes of the sitting held on Wednesday 14 May 1997 at 2:30 pm


Members present:

    President -- The Honourable Andrew WONG Wang-fat, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Mrs Selina CHOW LIANG Shuk-yee, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Martin LEE Chu-ming, QC, JP
    Dr the Honourable David LI Kwok-po, OBE, LLD(Cantab), JP
    The Honourable NGAI Shiu-kit, OBE, JP
    The Honourable SZETO Wah
    The Honourable LAU Wong-fat, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Edward HO Sing-tin, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Ronald Joseph ARCULLI, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Mrs Miriam LAU Kin-yee, OBE, JP
    Dr the Honourable Edward LEONG Che-hung, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Albert CHAN Wai-yip
    The Honourable CHEUNG Man-kwong
    The Honourable CHIM Pui-chung
    The Honourable Michael HO Mun-ka
    Dr the Honourable HUANG Chen-ya, MBE
    The Honourable Emily LAU Wai-hing
    The Honourable LEE Wing-tat
    The Honourable Eric LI Ka-cheung, OBE, JP
    The Honourable Fred LI Wah-ming
    The Honourable Henry TANG Ying-yen, JP
    The Honourable James TO Kun-sun
    Dr the Honourable Samuel WONG Ping-wai, OBE, FEng, JP
    Dr the Honourable Philip WONG Yu-hong
    Dr the Honourable YEUNG Sum
    The Honourable Howard YOUNG, JP
    The Honourable Zachary WONG Wai-yin
    The Honourable Christine LOH Kung-wai
    The Honourable James TIEN Pei-chun, OBE, JP
    The Honourable LEE Cheuk-yan
    The Honourable CHAN Kam-lam
    The Honourable CHAN Wing-chan
    The Honourable CHAN Yuen-han
    The Honourable Andrew CHENG Kar-foo
    The Honourable Paul CHENG Ming-fun
    The Honourable CHENG Yiu-tong
    Dr the Honourable Anthony CHEUNG Bing-leung
    The Honourable CHEUNG Hon-chung
    The Honourable CHOY Kan-pui, JP
    The Honourable David CHU Yu-lin
    The Honourable Albert HO Chun-yan
    The Honourable IP Kwok-him
    The Honourable LAU Chin-shek
    The Honourable Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen, JP
    The Honourable LAW Chi-kwong
    The Honourable LEE Kai-ming
    The Honourable LEUNG Yiu-chung
    The Honourable Bruce LIU Sing-lee
    The Honourable LO Suk-ching
    The Honourable MOK Ying-fan
    The Honourable Margaret NG
    The Honourable NGAN Kam-chuen
    The Honourable TSANG Kin-shing
    Dr the Honourable John TSE Wing-ling

Members absent:

    The Honourable Allen LEE Peng-fei, CBE, JP
    The Honourable Frederick FUNG Kin-kee
    Dr the Honourable LAW Cheung-kwok
    The Honourable SIN Chung-kai
    The Honourable Mrs Elizabeth WONG CHIEN Chi-lien, CBE, ISO, JP
    The Honourable Lawrence YUM Sin-ling

Public officers attending:

Mr Rafael HUI Si-yan, JP
The Financial Secretary
Mr Ian George McCurdy WINGFIELD, JP
The Attorney General
Mr Gordon SIU Kwing-chue, JP
Secretary for Transport
Mr Dominic WONG Shing-wah, OBE, JP
Secretary for Housing
Mrs Katherine FOK LO Shiu-ching, OBE, JP
Secretary for Health and Welfare
Mr Joseph WONG Wing-ping, JP
Secretary for Education and Manpower
Mr Peter LAI Hing-ling, JP
Secretary for Security
Mr Bowen LEUNG Po-wing, JP
Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands
Mr Stephen IP Shu-kwan, JP
Secretary for Economic Services
Mrs Stella HUNG KWOK Wai-ching, JP
Secretary for Home Affairs
Mr Kevin Ho Chi-ming, JP
Secretary for the Treasury

Clerks in attendance:

Mr Ricky FUNG Choi-cheung,
Secretary General
Mr LAW Kam-sang,
Deputy Secretary General
Mrs Justina LAM CHENG Bo-ling,
Assistant Secretary General (2)
Mr Ray CHAN Yum-mou,
Assistant Secretary General (3)



Papers

The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Standing Order No. 14(2):

Subsidiary LegislationL.N. NO.
1. Waste Disposal (Designated Waste Disposal Facility) Regulation197/97
2. Fugitive Offenders (Netherlands) Order198/97
3. Fugitive Offenders (Canada) Order199/97
4. Fugitive Offenders (Australia) Order200/97
5. Fugitive Offenders (Malaysia) Order201/97
6. Fugitive Offenders (Philippines) Order202/97
7. Fugitive Offenders (United States of America) Order203/97
8. Fugitive Offenders (Safety of Civil Aviation) Orderm204/97
9. Fugitive Offenders (Internationally Protected Persons and Hostages) Order205/97
10. Fugitive Offenders (Torture) Order206/97
11. Fugitive Offenders (Drugs) Order207/97
12. Fugitive Offenders (Genocide) Order208/97
13. Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Order 1997209/97
14. Fugitive Offenders (Notification Procedures) Regulation210/97
15. Fugitive Offenders (Forms) Regulation211/97
16. Fugitive Offenders (Miscellaneous) Regulation212/97
17. Land Survey (Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation216/97
18. Hong Kong Airport (Control of Obstructions) Order 1997 (Amendment) Order 1997217/97
19. Hong Kong Airport (Control of Obstructions) (No.2) Order 1997 218/97
20. Official Languages (Alteration of Text Under Section 4D) (No.15) Order 1997219/97
21. Official Languages (Alteration of Text Under Section 4D) (No.16) Order 1997220/97
22. Official Languages (Alteration of Text Under Section 4D) (No.17) Order 1997221/97
23. Rules of the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rules 1997 222/97
24. Declaration of Increase in Pensions Notice 1997223/97
25. Widows and Orphans Pension (Increase) Notice 1997224/97
26. Banking (Amendment) Ordinance 1997 (4 of 1997) (Commencement) (No.2) Notice 1997225/97
27. Auxiliary Forces Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 1997 (20 of 1997) (Commencement) Notice 1997226/97
28. Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules) Order 1997 (L.N.53 of 1997) (Commencement) Notice 1997227/97
29. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Missions Etrangeres Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 116/97
30. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Petites Soeurs Des Pauvres, St. Pern, Bretagne, Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 117/97
31. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Pontifical Foreign Missions Institute Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 118/97
32. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Sailors Home and Missions to Seamen Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 119/97
33. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Salesian Society Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 120/97
34. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Sisters of the Precious Blood Order Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 121/97
35. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Order of St. John Ordinance) Order(C) 122/97
36. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (J.E. Joseph Trust Fund Ordinance) Order(C) 123/97
37. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Prior of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 124/97
38. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Hong Kong Productivity Council Ordinance) Order(C) 125/97
39. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps Ordinance) Order(C) 126/97
40. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Consular Relations Ordinance) Order(C) 127/97
41. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Hoseinee Society of Hong Kong Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 128/97
42. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Loan Fund Ordinance) Order(C) 129/97
43. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Hong Kong Tramways Educational Trust Fund Ordinance) Order(C) 130/97
44. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Hong Kong Trade Development Council Ordinance) Order(C) 131/97
45. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (The English Schools Foundation Ordinance) Order(C) 132/97
46. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Pension Benefits (Judicial Officers) Ordinance) Order(C) 133/97
47. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Land Registration Ordinance) Order(C) 134/97
48. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Hong Kong Tuberculosis, Chest and Heart Diseases Association Incorporation Ordinance) Order(C) 135/97
49. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Merchant Shipping (Safety) Ordinance) Order(C) 136/97

Sessional Papers 1996-97

No. 95 - Hospital Authority
Annual Report 1995-1996
Statement of Accounts and Auditor's Report
No. 96 - Statement of Accounts of the Samaritan Fund for the year ended 31 March 1996
No. 97 - Employees Compensation Assistance Fund Board Annual Report 1995/96
No. 98 - Employees' Compensation Insurance Levies Management Board
Annual Report 1995/96

Questions

1. Mr LEE Wing-tat asked Question 1.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands replied.

Three Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands replied.

2. Mr IP Kwok-him asked Question 2.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands replied.

Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands replied.

3. Mr Fred LI asked Question 3.

The Secretary for Home Affairs replied.

Three Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Home Affairs replied.

4. Mr WONG Wai-yin asked Question 4.

The Secretary for Transport replied.

Three Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Transport replied.

5. Mr CHOY Kan-pui asked Question 5.

The Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.

Two Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.

6. Mr CHAN Wing-chan asked Question 6.

The Secretary for Housing replied.

Two Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Housing replied.

Written replies to Questions 7 to 20 were tabled for Members’ information.

Government Motions

Criminal Procedure Ordinance

The Attorney General moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That the Legal Aid in Criminal Cases (Amendment) Rules 1997, made by the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee on 21 April 1997, be approved.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

Rating Ordinance

The Secretary for the Treasury moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That -

  1. with effect from 1 April 1997, the percentage prescribed for the purposes of section 18(1) of the Rating Ordinance is in respect of every tenement -

    1. in the Urban Council area -

      (A)general rates 2.4%;
      (B) Urban Council rates 2.6%;

    2. in the Regional Council area -

      (A) general rates 0.8%;
      (B) Regional Council rates 4.2%;

  2. the prescribed percentage for the purposes of section 19(1)(b) of the Rating Ordinance in relation to each of the years beginning on 1 April 1997 and ending on 31 March 1998 and beginning on 1 April 1998 and ending on 31 March 1999 is 20%; and

  3. with effect from 1 April 1997, the amount prescribed for the purposes of section 36(1)(l) of the Rating Ordinance is $3,000.

Question on the motion proposed.

A Member spoke on the motion and the Secretary for the Treasury replied.

Question on the motion put and agreed to.

Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance

The Secretary for the Treasury moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That subsections (3) and (4) of section 5 of the Motor Vehicles (First Registration Tax) Ordinance shall expire at midnight on 31 March 2000.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

Government Bills

First Reading

Outer Space Bill

The Bill was read the first time and ordered to be set down for Second Reading pursuant to Standing Order No. 41(3).

Second Reading

Outer Space Bill

The Secretary for Economic Services moved the Second Reading and addressed the Council.

Question on the Second Reading proposed. The President stated that in accordance with Standing Orders, the debate was adjourned and the Bill was referred to the House Committee.

Child Care Centres (Amendment) Bill 1996

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 26 June 1996.

A Member spoke on the motion.

The Secretary for Health and Welfare replied.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Occupational Safety and Health Bill

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 4 December 1996.

Six Members spoke on the motion.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

New Territories Land Exchange Entitlements (Redemption) (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Estate Duty (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Merchant Shipping (Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 1997

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 30 April 1997.

Question on Second Reading put and agreed to.

Bill read the second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Council.

Committee Stage

The Council went into Committee and considered the following Bills:

Child Care Centres (Amendment) Bill 1996

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1 to 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 19 put and agreed to.

The Secretary for Health and Welfare moved amendments to clauses 10, 14 and 18 and addressed the Committee.

A Member spoke on the motion.

Question on the amendments put and agreed to.

Question that clauses 10, 14 and 18, as amended, stand part of the Bill put and agreed to.

Occupational Safety and Health Bill

Question that the following clauses and schedules stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1, 4, 5, 9, 11 to 16, 18 to 22, 24, 26 to 32, 34 to 40, 42 to 47 and 49 put and agreed to.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved amendments to clauses 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 23, 25, 33, 41 and 48 and addressed the Committee.

A Member spoke on the motion.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Question on the amendments put and agreed to.

Question that clauses 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 23, 25, 33, 41 and 48, as amended, stand part of the Bill put and agreed to.

New clause 38A read the first time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the Second Reading of new clause 38A and addressed the Committee. Question on the Second Reading of new clause 38A proposed, put and agreed to.

New clause 38A read the second time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the addition of new clause 38A to the Bill. Question on the addition proposed, put and agreed to.

The President ordered the Council to resume and granted leave to the Secretary for Education and Manpower to move a motion under Standing Order No.68 that Standing Orders No.46(5) and (7) be suspended to enable the Committee of the whole Council to consider the proposed new schedule 3A together with the proposed new clause 48A as one single question.

Question on the motion proposed, put and agreed to.

The Council went into Committee.

New Schedule 3A and new clause 48A read the first time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the Second Reading of new schedule 3A and new clause 48A and addressed the Committee. Question on the Second Reading of new schedule 3A and new clause 48A proposed, put and agreed to.

New schedule 3A and new clause 48A read the second time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the addition of new schedule 3A and new clause 48A to the Bill. Question on the addition proposed, put and agreed to.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved amendments to schedules 1 to 4 and addressed the Committee.

Question on the amendments put and agreed to.

Question that the schedules 1 to 4, as amended, stand part of the Bill put and agreed to.

Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1, 2 and 3 put and agreed to.

New Territories Land Exchange Entitlements (Redemption) (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1 and 2 put and agreed to.

Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1 to 7 put and agreed to.

Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1 and 2 put and agreed to.

Estate Duty (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1, 2 and 3 put and agreed to.

Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1 and 2 put and agreed to.

Merchant Shipping (Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 1997

Question that the following clauses stand part of the Bill proposed.

Question on clauses 1 to 25 put and agreed to.

The Council then resumed.

Third Reading

The Secretary for Health and Welfare reported that

    the Child Care Centres (Amendment) Bill 1996

had passed through Committee with amendments. She moved that the Bill be read the third time and do pass.

Question on the Third Reading proposed, put and agreed to.

Bill read the third time and passed.

The Secretary for Education and Manpwoer reported that

    the Occupational Safety and Health Bill

had passed through Committee with amendments and

    the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Bill 1997

had passed through Committee without amendment. He moved that these two Bills be read the third time and do pass.

Question on the Third Reading of the two Bills proposed, put and agreed to.

Bills read the third time and passed.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands reported that

    the New Territories Land Exchange Entitlements (Redemption) (Amendment) Bill 1997

had passed through Committee without amendment. He moved that the Bill be read the third time and do pass.

Question on the Third Reading proposed, put and agreed to.

Bill read the third time and passed.

The Secretary for the Treasury reported that

    the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill 1997
    the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 1997
    the Estate Duty (Amendment) Bill 1997 and
    the Traffic Accident Victims (Assistance Fund) (Amendment) Bill 1997

had passed through Committee without amendment. He moved that these four Bills be read the third time and do pass.

Question on the Third Reading of the four Bills proposed, put and agreed to.

Bills read the third time and passed.

The Secretary for Economic Services reported that

    the Merchant Shipping (Liability and Compensation for Oil Pollution) (Amendment) Bill 1997

had passed through Committee without amendment. He moved that the Bill be read the third time and do pass.

Question on the Third Reading proposed, put and agreed to.

Bill read the third time and passed.

Members' Motions

Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance

Mr Ronald ARCULLI moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That the Air Pollution Control (Construction Dust) Regulation, published as Legal Notice No.127 of 1997 and laid on the table of the Legislative Council on 9 April 1997, be amended -

  1. in section 7(c), by repealing "or" at the end;

  2. in section 7(d), be repealing the comma at the end and substituting ";or";

  3. in section 7 -

    1. by adding -

      "(e) circumstances beyond his control other than those referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d),";

    2. (b) by repealing "took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence" and substituting "exercised due diligence";

  4. in section 8(1)(b)(i), by repealing "the contract for which was entered into" and substituting "the tender for which was submitted or, where there was no tender, the contract for which was entered into on or";

  5. in section 8(3)(b), by repealing "the contract for the excluded work was entered into" and substituting "the tender for the excluded work was submitted or, where there was no tender, the contract for the excluded work was entered into on or";

  6. in Part III of the Schedule -

    1. by repealing section 12(4) and (5);

    2. in section 16, by adding ",shotcrete" after "bitumen".

Question on the motion proposed.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands spoke on the motion.

Question on the motion put and agreed to.

Right of abode

Miss Margaret NG moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That this Council urges the Administration to introduce a blue bill on the right of abode for enactment by this Council before 1 July 1997.

Question on the motion proposed.

Three Members spoke on the motion.

At 6:01 pm, the President's Deputy took the chair during the temporary absence of the President.

Another five Members spoke on the motion.

At 6:35 pm, the President resumed the chair.

Nine further Members and the Secretary for Security spoke on the motion.

Miss Margaret NG replied.

Question on the motion put.

Miss Margaret NG claimed a division. The President then ordered the Council to divide under Standing Order No.36(4).

The President announced that there were 23 votes for the motion and 22 votes against it. (Voting record in Appendix I.) He declared that the motion was carried.

Civil liberties

Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That this Council expresses deep regret that the Chief Executive (Designate) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (the CE Designate) proposes to amend the existing Public Order Ordinance and Societies Ordinance to restrict the freedoms of procession, assembly and association, and human rights currently enjoyed by Hong Kong people, and urges the CE Designate to truthfully reflect the wishes of Hong Kong people to the Chinese Government, so that the human rights and freedoms currently enjoyed by Hong Kong people will continue to be preserved.

Question on Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong's motion proposed. The President stated that Mr MOK Ying-fan had given notice to move an amendment to the motion. He proposed that the motion and the proposed amendment be debated together in a joint debate. There being no dissenting voice, the President ordered that the motion and the proposed amendment be debated together in a joint debate.

Mr MOK Ying-fan moved the following amendment to Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong's motion and addressed the Council:

To delete "this Council expresses deep regret that" and substitute with "as"; to delete "proposes to" and substitute with "will"; to add ", this Council urges the CE Designate not" after "and Societies Ordinance"; to insert "earnestly" before "urges the CE Designate to"; to delete "truthfully reflect" and substitute with "fully respect"; to delete "to the Chinese Government" and substitute with "when amending the Public Order Ordinance and Societies Ordinance"; and to delete "so" and substitute with "and ensure".

Question on Mr MOK Ying-fan's amendment to Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong's motion proposed.

Six Members spoke on the motion and the amendment.

At 8:30 pm, the President's Deputy took the chair during the temporary absence of the President.

Another four Members spoke on the motion and the amendment.

At 8:50 pm, the President resumed the chair.

Nine further Members spoke on the motion and the amendment.

At 9:50 pm, Mr Andrew CHENG drew the attention of the President to the absence of a quorum. The President directed that the Council be suspended and Members be summoned. A quorum was then present.

Two more Members spoke on the motion and the amendment.

Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong spoke on the amendment.

The Secretary for Security spoke on the motion and the amendment.

Question on Mr MOK Ying-fan's amendment to Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong's motion put and negatived.

Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong replied.

Question on Mr CHEUNG Man-kwong's original motion put.

Mr CHAN Kam-lam claimed a division. The President then ordered the Council to divide under Standing Order No.36(4).

The President announced that there were 23 votes for the motion and 27 votes against it. (Voting record in Appendix II.) He declared that the motion was negatived.

Members' Bills

Second Reading

Education (Amendment) Bill 1996

Resumption of debate on Second Reading which had been moved on 6 November 1996.

Seven Members and the Secretary for Education and Manpower spoke on the motion.

Miss Christine LOH replied.

Question on Second Reading put. As the President could not judge from the voice votes whether the 'ayes' had it or the 'noes' had it, he ordered the Council to divide under Standing Order No. 36(4).

The President announced that there were 23 votes for the motion and 27 votes against it. (Voting record in Appendix III.) He declared that the motion that the Bill be read the second time was negatived and stated that no further proceedings would be taken on the Bill.

Next sitting

In accordance with Standing Orders, the President adjourned the Council until Wednesday 21 May 1997.

Adjourned accordingly at twenty-three minutes past eleven o’clock.


(Andrew WONG)
President


Council Chamber
Hong Kong


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