(English translation prepared by
the Legislative Council Secretariat
for Members' reference only)

5 May 1999

Dr Hon LEONG Che-hung
Chairman of the House Committee
Legislative Council


Dear Dr LEONG,

The Panel on Transport had debates on two motions on the subject of ferry services during two of its recent meetings. As the procedural arrangements for initiating motion debates at Panel meetings are not provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council, the Chairmen of Panels, in dealing with such matter, can only exercise their discretion and give leave to dispense with notice of the motions and the amendments. Besides, the Chairmen also need to specify the manner of debating motions.

In view of this, I propose that the Committee on Rules of Procedure be invited to study the procedural arrangements for initiating motion debates at Panel meetings.

I would like to raise the above issue for discussion at the House Committee Meeting to be held on 7 May 1999.

(Mrs Miriam LAU Kin-yee)
Chairman of the Panel on Transport