A 19/20-7

Legislative Council

Agenda

Wednesday 20 November 2019 at 11:00 am

I.
Papers to be laid on the Table of the Council

4 papers to be laid on the Table of the Council set out in Appendix 1

II.
Questions

Members to ask 22 questions (6 for oral replies and 16 for written replies)
Questions for oral replies to be asked by
Public officers to reply
1.
Secretary for Security
2.
Secretary for Food and Health
3.
Hon Kenneth LEUNG
Secretary for Food and Health
Secretary for the Environment
4.
Secretary for Security
5.
Secretary for Transport and Housing
6.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Contents of 22 questions, Members to ask such questions and public officers to reply set out in Appendix 2

IIIA.
Adjournment Motion

1.
Adjournment motion under Rule 16(2) of the Rules of Procedure
(Proposed on the floor)
Mover
:
Hon YUNG Hoi-yan
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs

III.
Government Bills

First Reading and Second Reading (debate to be adjourned)
1.
Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2019
(Standing over from the meeting of 13 November 2019)
:
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Consideration by committee of the whole Council and Third Reading
2.
Judicial Officers (Extension of Retirement Age) (Amendment) Bill 2019
(Standing over from the meeting of 10 July 2019)
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
Second Reading (debate to resume), consideration by committee of the whole Council and Third Reading
3.
Electoral Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2019
(Standing over from the meeting of 10 July 2019)
:
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs to move an amendment as set out in LC Paper No. CB(3) 13/19-20 issued on 9 October 2019

IV.
Government Motions

1st debate (to deal with the following 2 motions)
(Standing over from the meeting of 10 July 2019)
1.
Proposed resolution under Article 73(7) of the Basic Law and section 7A of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal Ordinance (Cap. 484) on appointment of a judge
Mover
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
Wording of the motion
:
2.
Proposed resolution under Article 73(7) of the Basic Law on appointment of a judge
Mover
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
Wording of the motion
:
(Debate and voting arrangements set out in LC Paper Nos. CB(3) 760/18-19 and CB(3) 55/19-20 issued on 27 June and 21 October 2019)

V.
Members' Motions on Subsidiary Legislation/Instruments

1st debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 13 November 2019)
1.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon Frankie YICK
Wording of the motion
:
2nd debate (to deal with the following motion)
2.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon Alice MAK
Wording of the motion
:
3rd debate (to deal with the following motion)
3.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon CHEUNG Kwok-kwan
Wording of the motion
:
4th debate (to deal with the following motion)
4.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon CHEUNG Kwok-kwan
Wording of the motion
:
5th debate (to deal with the following motion)
5.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon CHAN Hoi-yan
Wording of the motion
:
6th debate (to deal with the following motion)
6.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon Steven HO
Wording of the motion
:
7th debate (to deal with the following motion)
7.
Proposed resolution to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation
Mover
:
Hon Martin LIAO
Wording of the motion
:
8th debate (to deal with the following 2 motions)
Proposed resolutions to amend subsidiary legislation
Pilotage (Dues) (Amendment) Order 2019 (L.N. 146/2019)
8.
Mover
:
Hon Frankie YICK
Wording of the motion
:
Pilotage Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2019 (L.N. 147/2019)
9.
Mover
:
Hon Frankie YICK
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend items 8 and 9
:
Secretary for Transport and Housing
Under Secretary for Transport and Housing
(Debate and voting arrangements set out in LC Paper No. CB(3) 139/19-20 issued on 19 November 2019)

VI.
Member's Bill

First Reading and Second Reading (debate to be adjourned)
1.
St. John's College (Amendment) Bill 2019
(Standing over from the meeting of 10 July 2019)
:
Hon Jimmy NG

VII.
Members' Motions (not including those on Subsidiary Legislation/Instruments)

1st debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 10 July 2019)
1.
Motion under Article 73(9) of the Basic Law to form an independent investigation committee to investigate the charges against the Chief Executive for serious breach of law and/or dereliction of duty
Mover
:
Hon Alvin YEUNG
Wording of the motion
:
(This motion jointly initiated by 25 Members: Hon Alvin YEUNG, Hon James TO, Hon LEUNG Yiu-chung, Prof Hon Joseph LEE, Hon Claudia MO, Hon WU Chi-wai, Hon Charles Peter MOK, Hon CHAN Chi-chuen, Hon Kenneth LEUNG, Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki, Hon Dennis KWOK, Dr Hon Fernando CHEUNG, Dr Hon Helena WONG, Hon IP Kin-yuen, Hon Andrew WAN, Hon CHU Hoi-dick, Hon LAM Cheuk-ting, Hon SHIU Ka-chun, Hon Tanya CHAN, Hon HUI Chi-fung, Dr Hon CHENG Chung-tai, Hon KWONG Chun-yu, Hon Jeremy TAM, Hon Gary FAN and Hon AU Nok-hin)
Public officer to attend
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
2nd debate (to deal with the following motion)
2.
Motion under Rule 49B(1) of the Rules of Procedure to relieve Hon Tanya CHAN of her duties as a Member of the Legislative Council
Mover
:
Hon WONG Ting-kwong
Wording of the motion
:
3rd debate (to deal with the following motion)
3.
Motion under Rule 49B(1) of the Rules of Procedure to relieve Hon SHIU Ka-chun of his duties as a Member of the Legislative Council
Mover
:
Hon WONG Kwok-kin
Wording of the motion
:
4th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 23 October 2019)
4.
Motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Hon Junius HO
Mover
:
Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki
Wording of the motion
:
(This motion jointly signed by Hon Alvin YEUNG, Hon Tanya CHAN and Hon Jeremy TAM)
5th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 30 October 2019)
5.
Motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Hon Junius HO
Mover
:
Hon Claudia MO
Wording of the motion
:
(This motion jointly signed by Hon CHU Hoi-dick, Hon CHAN Chi-chuen and Hon Gary FAN)
6th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 6 November 2019)
6.
Motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Dr Hon CHENG Chung-tai
Mover
:
Hon YUNG Hoi-yan
Wording of the motion
:
(This motion jointly signed by Hon Mrs Regina IP, Hon WONG Ting-kwong and Hon POON Siu-ping)
7th debate (to deal with the following motion)
7.
Motion under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Hon LAM Cheuk-ting
Mover
:
Hon Junius HO
Wording of the motion
:
(This motion jointly signed by Hon YUNG Hoi-yan, Hon YIU Si-wing and Hon POON Siu-ping)
8th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 12 June 2019)
8.
Motion under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law to summon persons concerned to produce papers and testify
Mover
:
Hon Dennis KWOK
Wording of the motion
:
Public officer to attend
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
9th debate (to deal with the following 2 motions)
(Standing over from the meeting of 10 July 2019)
9.
Motion under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law to summon a person to produce papers and testify
Mover
:
Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki
Wording of the motion
:
10.
Motion under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance to appoint a select committee to conduct an inquiry
Mover
:
Hon AU Nok-hin
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend items 9 and 10
:
Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Security
(Debate and voting arrangements set out in LC Paper No. CB(3) 771/18-19 issued on 27 June 2019)
Debate arrangements for the following 3 motions to be notified
(Order of debates may be adjusted having regard to the debate arrangements to be made)
(Standing over from the meeting of 23 October 2019)
Motions under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law to summon persons concerned to produce papers and testify
11.
Mover
:
Hon Alvin YEUNG
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Security
Secretary for Transport and Housing
Under Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Transport and Housing
12.
Mover
:
Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Security
Secretary for Food and Health
Under Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Food and Health
13.
Mover
:
Dr Hon Fernando CHEUNG
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare
10th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 13 November 2019)
14.
Motion under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law to summon persons concerned to produce papers and testify
Mover
:
Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Security
11th debate (to deal with the following 2 motions)
(Standing over from the meeting of 3 July 2019)
Motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance to appoint select committees to conduct inquiries
15.
Mover
:
Hon Andrew WAN
Wording of the motion
:
16.
Mover
:
Hon Jeremy TAM
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend items 15 and 16
:
Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Security
(Debate and voting arrangements set out in LC Paper No. CB(3) 723/18-19 issued on 19 June 2019)
Debate arrangements for the following 7 motions to be notified
(Order of debates may be adjusted having regard to the debate arrangements to be made)
(Standing over from the meeting of 23 October 2019)
Motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance to appoint select committees to conduct inquiries
17.
Mover
:
Hon Claudia MO
Wording of the motion
:
18 and 19.
Mover
:
Hon Tanya CHAN
Wording of the motions
:
20 and 21.
Mover
:
Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki
Wording of the motions
:
22.
Mover
:
Hon LAM Cheuk-ting
Wording of the motion
:
23.
Mover
:
Hon KWONG Chun-yu
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend items 17 to 23
:
Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Security
12th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 30 October 2019)
24.
Motion under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance to appoint a select committee to conduct an inquiry
Mover
:
Hon Gary FAN
Wording of the motion
:
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Security
Under Secretary for Security
13th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 13 November 2019)
25.
Motion under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance to appoint a select committee to conduct an inquiry
Mover
:
Hon CHUNG Kwok-pan
Wording of the motion
:
Public officer to attend
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
14th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 12 June 2019)
26.
Motion on "No confidence in the Fifth Term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region"
Mover
:
Hon Dennis KWOK
Wording of the motion
:
Amendment mover
:
Hon Claudia MO
(Amendment set out in LC Paper No. CB(3) 667/18-19 issued on 5 June 2019)
Public officer to attend
:
Chief Secretary for Administration
15th debate (to deal with the following motion)
(Standing over from the meeting of 12 June 2019)
27.
Motion on "Ensuring children's right to play for them to grow up happily"
Mover
:
Hon HO Kai-ming
Wording of the motion
:
5 amendment movers
:
Hon IP Kin-yuen, Dr Hon KWOK Ka-ki, Dr Hon Fernando CHEUNG, Dr Hon CHIANG Lai-wan and Hon HUI Chi-fung
(Amendments set out in LC Paper No. CB(3) 669/18-19 issued on 6 June 2019)
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare



Clerk to the Legislative Council





Appendix 1

Council meeting of 20 November 2019

Papers to be laid on the Table of the Council

Papers





Appendix 2

22 questions to be asked at the Council meeting of 20 November 2019

Subject matters
Public officers to reply
Questions for oral replies
1
Hon HUI Chi-fung
Secretary for Security
2
Dr Hon Helena WONG
Secretary for Food and Health
3
Hon Kenneth LEUNG
Secretary for Food and Health
Secretary for the Environment
4
Hon Gary FAN
Secretary for Security
5
Hon Tony TSE
Secretary for Transport and Housing
6
Hon Christopher CHEUNG
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Questions for written replies
7
Hon Tanya CHAN
Secretary for the Environment
8
Hon Andrew WAN
Secretary for Security
9
Hon IP Kin-yuen
Secretary for Education
10
Dr Hon CHIANG Lai-wan
Secretary for Food and Health
11
Hon WU Chi-wai
Secretary for Security
12
Hon Holden CHOW
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
13
Dr Hon Priscilla LEUNG
Secretary for Food and Health
14
Hon Steven HO
Secretary for Food and Health
15
Hon Jeremy TAM
Secretary for Security
16
Hon Jimmy NG
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
17
Hon Elizabeth QUAT
Secretary for Security
18
Hon Charles Peter MOK
Secretary for Innovation and Technology
19
Hon CHAN Hoi-yan
Secretary for Development
20
Hon Paul TSE
Secretary for Transport and Housing
21
Dr Hon Pierre CHAN
Secretary for Food and Health
22
Hon HO Kai-ming
Secretary for the Civil Service





Question 1
(For oral reply)

(Translation)

Inquiring into the movement of opposition
to the proposed legislative amendments

Hon HUI Chi-fung to ask:
The movement of opposition to the proposed legislative amendments ("the movement") has not subsided since its eruption in June this year. It has been reported that as revealed by the findings of a number of public opinion surveys, more than 70% of members of the public support the appointment of a commission of inquiry by the Government under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance to inquire into issues relating to the movement. However, the Government has all along merely indicated that the matters relating to the various large-scale public events and the operations conducted by the Police have been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Council ("IPCC") for examination, and that IPCC would submit a report together with improvement recommendations. As all members of IPCC are appointed by the Chief Executive, some members of the public consider that IPCC has a pro-government stance and they have little confidence in the independence of IPCC's work. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
among the complaints received by the Complaints Against Police Office in each of the past three years, of the number and percentage of substantiated cases, and among the complaints involving accusations of assault, the number and percentage of substantiated cases;
(2)
given that IPCC is not empowered to summon witnesses and carry out investigations, how the Government ensures that the report to be published by IPCC in future will provide a comprehensive and an objective analysis of the causes of the movement, and that IPCC will reach an objective and an impartial conclusion about whether or not police officers have used force excessively; and
(3)
in respect of conducting inquiries into issues relating to the movement, whether it has assessed the merits and demerits for the relevant work to be taken up by an independent commission of inquiry or by IPCC, whose members' independence has been called into question; if so, of the outcome?





Question 2
(For oral reply)

(Translation)

Chemicals used to disperse demonstrators

Dr Hon Helena WONG to ask:
Since the eruption of the "anti-extradition to China" movement in June this year, the Police have fired thousands of tear gas rounds, used tear spray and sprayed coloured water from water cannon vehicles in densely-populated areas to disperse demonstrators. Some research findings have shown that persons who have inhaled tear gas will develop temporary symptoms such as tearing, coughing, runny nose and vomiting, and they may feel discomfort in their respiratory tracts or lungs for a period of as long as two weeks. Persons who have been hit by tear spray or coloured water will experience burning sensation of skin or temporary loss of sight. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it will make public the models, places of origin and detailed composition of the tear gas rounds and tear spray currently used by the Police; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it knows if tear gas rounds will give off cyanide and dioxins during the combustion process;
(2)
whether the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will deploy staff to the areas concerned to carry out decontamination, so as to alleviate the health impacts of such chemicals on members of the public; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3)
whether it studied, in the past six months, the impacts of the chemicals contained in tear gas rounds (in particular those made in China), tear spray and coloured water on food, potable water, the environment and ecology in the areas concerned; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will conduct such a study; whether it will, before it has been ascertained that the chemicals concerned will not cause serious health hazards to members of the public, suspend the use of such weapons?





Question 3
(For oral reply)

(Translation)

Tear gas residue

Hon Kenneth LEUNG to ask:
Since the eruption of the disturbances arising from the opposition to the proposed legislative amendments in June this year, the Police have repeatedly fired tear gas rounds in densely populated areas or even indoor areas. It is learnt that the crystalline particles of the various types of compounds in tear gas, which are non-volatile, will settle downward and may be carried away by the wind and adhere to objects, including textile fibres and the air circulation systems of buildings, posing a threat to public health in the long term. Furthermore, the results of some experiments conducted overseas have shown that groups which have been exposed to tear gas may have a higher risk of developing chronic respiratory problems in future, such as morning cough, production of thick sputum, chest pain, damages to lung tissue and breathing difficulty. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the number of person-times for medical consultations sought on respiratory diseases by persons who reported to have been exposed to tear gas and the relevant incidence rates, the average 24-hour concentrations of fine respirable suspended particulates in those areas on those days on which the Police fired tear gas rounds there, since June this year, and the outcome of a comparison of such data with the relevant data for the same period last year;
(2)
whether it has grasped the data and information related to the impacts of tear gas residue on human body and the environment; and
(3)
whether it will arrange professionals to check the concentration of tear gas residue in the indoor areas and nearby buildings affected by tear gas, and thoroughly clean up the contaminants concerned; if not, of the justifications for that?





Question 4
(For oral reply)

(Translation)

Law enforcement by police officers in private properties

Hon Gary FAN to ask:
It has been reported that during a number of public meetings and processions relating to the "anti-extradition to China" movement held since 9 June this year, some police officers, without producing search warrants and without obtaining the consent of or giving an explanation to the occupiers of the premises concerned, intruded into shopping malls and private housing estates for law enforcement. During such operations, the police officers used various types of force and weapons, causing panic and injuries to quite a number of shopping mall customers and residents. In some cases, the police officers concerned were not in uniforms with police identification numbers and did not wear warrant cards, making it difficult for members of the public to verify their identity. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the details of the law enforcement actions taken since June this year by police officers in shopping malls and private housing estates during public events, including the date and time, the name of the premises concerned, whether police officers had produced search warrants or obtained the consent of the occupiers before entering the premises (if they had not, of the reasons for that), the force and weapons used by police officers as well as the number of times or quantities concerned, whether any police officer not in uniform with police identification number and not wearing a warrant card participated in the law enforcement actions, and the respective numbers of persons who were arrested and reportedly injured; and
(2)
whether it will review and amend the Police General Orders and the guidelines on the use of force to require that under normal circumstances, police officers are not allowed to use lethal weapons within the precincts of shopping malls and residential areas, and to specify the penalties for non-compliance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?





Question 5
(For oral reply)

(Translation)

Transitional housing projects

Hon Tony TSE to ask:
In this year's Policy Address, the Government put forward a plan to increase the number of transitional housing projects substantially to provide a total of 10 000 transitional housing units within the coming three years, and indicated that it had earmarked $5 billion for meeting the costs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the following details of each project (set out in a table): the location, the floor or site area, the parties owning the titles to the premises or site, the number of housing units that can be provided, the name of the operator, as well as the anticipated dates for completion and intake of residents;
(2)
as some members of the construction sector have relayed that the construction standards to be met by transitional housing projects are quite high, resulting in high construction costs and long construction time, whether the Government has assessed if the earmarked provision of $5 billion will be sufficient for meeting the expenditure, and whether it will relax the relevant construction standards; and
(3)
given that community groups have been/will be responsible for all the tasks, from the construction or conversion works to the management and operation of the various transitional housing projects, how the Government ensures that all such projects will be completed on schedule, so as to achieve the target of providing 10 000 housing units within three years; of the reasons why the Government does not directly undertake such tasks?





Question 6
(For oral reply)

(Translation)

Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

Hon Christopher CHEUNG to ask:
Earlier on, the House of Representatives of the United States ("US") Congress passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act ("the Act"). The Act, if passed by the Senate and signed by the President, will become a law. Some members of the business sector are worried that the Act, once implemented, will inevitably affect the exchanges between Hong Kong and the US, make the US Government review the special treatment granted to Hong Kong, and destabilize Hong Kong's external trade relations and its status as an international financial centre. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the latest assessment of the adverse impacts of the implementation of the Act on aspects such as Hong Kong's external trade relations, investment and listing of foreign-funded enterprises in Hong Kong, and importation of high technology products and know-how;
(2)
whether it will step up efforts to lobby the political and business sectors of the US and explain to them the real situation of Hong Kong, so as to avoid the US authorities mistakenly making decisions that are unfavourable to Hong Kong; and
(3)
of the contingency plans in place to reduce the impact on Hong Kong's economy to be brought about by the Act upon implementation?





Question 7
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Promoting the use of electric vehicles

Hon Tanya CHAN to ask:
After the Government's reduction of the concessions on the first registration tax for electric private cars ("e-PCs") on 1 April 2017, there was a significant drop in the number of first registered e-PCs. On 28 February 2018, the Government introduced a "One-for-One Replacement" Scheme ("Replacement Scheme") whereby a vehicle owner who scraps his old private car ("PC") that meets the eligibility criteria and buys a new e-PC may enjoy a higher tax concession. On 28 January this year, the Government relaxed the eligibility criteria for the Replacement Scheme. On promoting the use of electric vehicles ("EVs"), will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of (i) the number of registered PCs, and (ii) the number of newly registered e-PCs, at the end of each month from January to October this year;
(2)
of the (i) monthly and (ii) cumulative numbers of applications received and approved respectively, since the launch of the Replacement Scheme on 28 February 2018;
(3)
of the number of PCs, as at 28 January this year when the eligibility criteria for the Replacement Scheme were relaxed, which met the new eligibility criteria; among such PCs, the number and percentage of those which have now been scrapped under the Scheme; the number of PCs meeting the eligibility criteria as at the 1st of this month;
(4)
whether it knows the respective total numbers of (i) standard, (ii) medium and (iii) quick public EV chargers ("chargers") throughout the territory as at the 1st of this month, with a breakdown by District Council district;
(5)
as the Financial Secretary has indicated in this financial year's Budget that it will allocate $120 million to extend the public EV charging networks in government car parks, of the respective numbers of (i) standard, (ii) medium and (iii) quick chargers it has planned to install, with a breakdown by name of car park;
(6)
whether it will make provision for setting up a dedicated fund for the installation of EV charging-enabling infrastructure in the public car parks under the Hong Kong Housing Authority, including the installation of more chargers and the replacement of the existing standard chargers by medium or quick chargers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(7)
whether it will ask the MTR Corporation Limited to provide a certain number of chargers in each of its park-and-ride ("PnR") car parks, so as to facilitate EV drivers' participation in the PnR Schemes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(8)
as the Government has planned to allocate $2 billion for launching a pilot scheme to subsidize the installation of EV charging-enabling infrastructure in car parks of eligible existing private residential buildings, and estimated that about 60 000 car parking spaces will be benefited, but as there were only about 12 000 EVs in the territory as at August this year, whether the Government has put in place measures to encourage vehicle owners of the car parks concerned to switch to e-PCs as soon as possible, so as to avoid wastage of resources?





Question 8
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Pungent odour in Tuen Mun

Hon Andrew WAN to ask:
It has been reported that on the afternoon of 28 October this year, a number of members of the public smelled a pungent odour akin to the smell of tear gas in the vicinity of Leung King Estate of Tuen Mun, and the odour subsequently spread to the vicinity of Tuen Mun Town Centre and the pier. A number of persons were unwell and made assistance calls for emergency ambulance service. Later on that day, the Police posted on a social media a message stating that the Police and fire personnel, after conducting inspections, could not ascertain the cause and origin of the odour. The Police also clarified that they had not used tear gas nor, as circulated on the Internet, conducted testing of any unknown gas, in Tuen Mun that day. Suspecting that the odour was associated with Police operations, some residents gathered outside Tai Hing Operational Base that night, and the rally eventually developed into confrontations between the Police and members of the public. The Police fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd, with some of the rounds landing on the podium or corridor of some private housing courts. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it will continue to investigate the origin and cause of the aforesaid odour and if the odour was associated with tear gas; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2)
whether it knows if the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison ("Hong Kong Garrison") used in its military sites on that day any equipment that would emanate pungent odour; if it knows of any such cases, of the details; if not, whether it will make enquiries with the Hong Kong Garrison; and
(3)
whether the police officers concerned had taken into account the potential health hazards caused to innocent members of the public before firing tear gas rounds at residential buildings; if so, of the details; whether the Police will undertake not to adopt such a practice again; if they will not, of the reasons for that?





Question 9
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Demand and supply situation of speech therapists

Hon IP Kin-yuen to ask:
Regarding the demand and supply situation of speech therapists, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it knows the current number of speech therapists and, among them, the respective numbers of those (i) who are qualified for registration and (ii) who have been registered under the Accredited Registers Scheme for Healthcare Professions;
(2)
of the respective numbers and percentages of speech therapists employed by the Government and subvented organizations, in each of the financial years from 2016-2017 to 2018-2019;
(3)
of the respective staffing establishments of speech therapists in (i) the Government, (ii) the Hospital Authority, (iii) subvented organizations and (iv) the academia, in each of the financial years from 2016-2017 to 2018-2019, with a breakdown by the unit in which they serviced (e.g. various types of schools, social welfare organizations and allied health departments); the average number of cases handled by each speech therapist each year;
(4)
of the number of degree programmes related to speech therapy offered by tertiary institutions in each of the academic years from 2017-2018 to 2019-2020, and set out by year (i) the number of places, (ii) the funding mode and (iii) the duration of each programme;
(5)
as the Government indicated in the Policy Addresses delivered in the past two years and the Budget delivered last year respectively that it would introduce measures to enhance speech therapy services, of the respective manpower requirements of various policy bureaux/government departments for speech therapists in each of the coming three years;
(6)
given that starting from this school year, the Education Bureau ("EDB") will implement the Enhanced School-based Speech Therapy Service ("SBSTS") and create school-based speech therapist posts in public sector ordinary primary and secondary schools by phases in three years to allow schools to form clusters to employ school-based speech therapists to support students with speech and language impairment,
(i)
of the number of speech therapists to be employed, the number of schools implementing SBSTS, the number of students benefitting from SBSTS and the recurrent expenditure to be incurred, in this and each of the coming two school years;
(ii)
of the respective to-date numbers of school clusters which have and have not recruited speech therapists, and the respective numbers of posts involved;
(iii)
whether it will enquire with the school clusters which have recruited speech therapists about whether the appointees have reported for duty; of the measures in place to assist the school clusters which have not recruited speech therapists;
(iv)
of the measures in place to assist the school clusters concerned in retaining speech therapists, so as to avoid the relevant services being affected by their resignation; and
(v)
as quite a number of schools have indicated that they have encountered difficulties in recruiting speech therapists, whether EDB will adjust the implementation timetable of SBSTS; and
(7)
as some members of the education sector and the social welfare sector have indicated that they have encountered difficulties in recruiting speech therapists, whether the Government will enhance the coordination among departments and communication with the stakeholders, so as to ensure that the training and career progression pathways for speech therapists will be commensurate with the professional development and service needs of the trade; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?





Question 10
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Osteoporosis

Dr Hon CHIANG Lai-wan to ask:
It has been reported that as indicated by the findings of a medical research, one in three women and one in five men who are over 50 years old will suffer from a osteoporotic fracture at some point in their lives. In addition, there are about 10 000 new cases of hip fracture each year in Hong Kong and, among such cases, one-fifth of the patients pass away within one year, about half of them sustain permanent impairment of mobility, and about half of them need to be admitted to residential care homes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the number of osteoporotic fracture patients who were treated in public hospitals in each of the past three years, and the expenditure so incurred, with a tabulated breakdown by the body region of the fracture;
(2)
as some medical practitioners have pointed out that quite a number of members of the public have little knowledge about osteoporosis, of the Government's measures to step up the relevant publicity work, so as to raise public awareness about prevention of osteoporosis; and
(3)
whether it will consider implementing, under a public-private partnership approach, a community-wide bone mineral density screening for early identification and treatment of osteoporosis patients; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?





Question 11
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Dead body found cases and inquests into death

Hon WU Chi-wai to ask:
The Coroners Ordinance (Cap. 504) specifies 20 categories of deaths which are reportable to the coroner. Having considered the relevant information such as the investigation reports prepared by the Police on such cases and the post mortem reports, the coroner may decide whether there is sufficient information such that the cause and the circumstances of the death are clear and with no suspicion and whether the case can be concluded, or the coroner may decide to order the Police to carry out further investigation or seek independent opinions from experts. Having considered all the requisite information and all the circumstances of the case, the coroner may decide whether to conclude the case or hold an inquest into the death. If a person dies while in official custody, the coroner must hold an inquest into that case of death. In addition, properly interested persons (including family members of the deceased) and the Secretary for Justice may apply to the Court of First Instance for an inquest into the death to be held by a coroner. It has been reported that the number of suspected suicide cases surged in recent months, and in respect of a number of dead body found cases, the Police announced after investigation at the scene that the cases were initially classified as suicides or as cases with no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. However, some members of the public have queried that the process for the Police's investigation into these cases and drawing their conclusions is sloppy. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of the following details regarding the dead body found cases handled by the Police in the past 24 months:
(1)
the total number of such cases, with a tabulated breakdown by month and the age group to which the deceased belonged (i.e. 0 to 9 years old, 10 to 19 years old, 20 to 29 years old, 30 to 39 years old, 40 to 49 years old, 50 to 59 years old, 60 to 69 years old, 70 years old or above, and age unknown);
(2)
the number of cases with the following circumstances: the Police, based on the findings of their investigation at the scene, had announced that the case was initially classified as suicide or a case with no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, but before submission of the first investigation report to the coroner, the Police reclassified the case as murder or a case with suspicious circumstances surrounding the death;
(3)
the respective numbers of cases classified, in the first investigation reports submitted by the Police to the coroner, as (i) a case with no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, (ii) suicide, (iii) murder, and (iv) other categories;
(4)
the number of cases in which the coroner decided, after considering information such as the first investigation report by the Police, that the case be concluded;
(5)
(i) the number of cases in which the coroner, after considering information such as the first investigation report by the Police, ordered the Police to carry out further investigation; the respective numbers of cases in which the coroner, after considering the further investigation report by the Police and other relevant information, decided to (ii) conclude the case, and (iii) hold an inquest into the death; the respective numbers of cases in which the Court of First Instance, upon the application of (iv) a properly interested person and (v) the Secretary for Justice, ordered an inquest to be held;
(6)
a breakdown of the figures in (5) by the classification of the cause of death as set out in the first investigation report by the Police;
(7)
the number of cases in which a verdict of suicide has been returned, together with a tabulated breakdown by (i) the age group (as set out in (1)) to which the deceased belonged and (ii) type of suicide (i.e. hanging, jumping from height, drowning, sharp instruments, and others);
(8)
the number of cases in which the dead body has remained unclaimed so far, with a tabulated breakdown by the age group (as set out in (1)) to which the deceased belonged;
(9)
the (i) highest, (ii) lowest and (iii) average numbers of days from the Police receiving the report of a dead body found to the cremation/burial of the dead body; and
(10)
the number of cases in which the name of the deceased appeared on the Police's list of missing persons, with a tabulated breakdown by the age group (as set out in (1)) to which the deceased belonged?





Question 12
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Impacts of social disturbances on the economy and people's livelihood

Hon Holden CHOW to ask:
Since June this year, the controversies arising from the proposals to amend the law concerning surrender of fugitive offenders have eventually turned into social disturbances. Radical demonstrators have wantonly vandalized buildings and public facilities, with quite a number of shops being "renovated" (the code word for "vandalized"), and persons with different views being "doxxed" and "settled privately" (the code words for "subject to vigilante attacks"). Such acts have seriously affected the business environment, operation of society and the daily living of members of the public. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective numbers of reports, received by the Police from shop operators since June this year, of alleged (i) intimidation, (ii) blackmail and (iii) property being destroyed/damaged (including arson) on account of reasons relating to social disturbances, as well as the latest progress of investigations into such cases; the number of requests for assistance received by the Government from shop operators who experienced operating difficulties, as well as the specific follow-up work;
(2)
whether it knows the number of sports, cultural, arts, entertainment and tourism events originally scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in the latter half of this year or next year that have been cancelled or rescheduled since June this year on account of reasons relating to social disturbances, and set out by name of event: (i) the event organizer, (ii) the estimated manpower deployment, (iii) the expected economic benefits that may be brought to Hong Kong (e.g. the number of visitor arrivals that may be attracted), (iv) originally scheduled event date, and (v) newly scheduled event date (if available);
(3)
whether it knows the respective monthly attendances of Ocean Park Hong Kong and Hong Kong Disneyland since June this year, and how such figures compare with the figures for the same period last year; the special promotion plans to be put in place by the operators of these two theme parks this year and next year in a bid to attract visits by local residents and tourists; and
(4)
whether it has assessed the damage caused to Hong Kong's business environment and international reputation by the social disturbances since June this year; if so, of the indicators adopted and the assessment outcome; of the measures put in place to restore the confidence of the international community in the stability and business environment of Hong Kong?





Question 13
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Illegally affixed bills and posters

Dr Hon Priscilla LEUNG to ask:
Under section 104A of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), no bill or poster shall be displayed or affixed on any Government land, except with the written permission of the Authority. Some members of the public have relayed that since June this year, a large quantities of leaflets, posters, sticky notes, etc. have been affixed, for expression of various views, without permission at public places (e.g. footbridges, pedestrian subways and perimeter fences) in many districts. Such affixed items have not only caused environmental hygiene problems but also led to clashes among members of the public with different political views. However, the government departments concerned have not actively addressed the problem, making such members of the public feel very dissatisfied. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether the government departments concerned have, since June this year, found any items affixed without their permission at the places under their management; if so, of the details, and whether they have forthwith removed such items; if they have not forthwith removed such items, of the reasons for that;
(2)
whether the Government has, since June this year, assessed if it constitutes an administrative omission on the part of the departments concerned for failure to remove those illegally affixed items within a time period expected by members of the public; if it has assessed, of the outcome; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3)
whether it will make special arrangements to expedite the clearance of illegally affixed items; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?





Question 14
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Measures to alleviate the impacts of African Swine Fever

Hon Steven HO to ask:
African Swine Fever ("ASF") broke out on the Mainland in August last year and quickly swept through most parts of the Mainland. Fortunately, it has not spread to the pig farms in Hong Kong. Due to the epidemic, quite a number of registered pig farms on the Mainland for supply to Hong Kong ("registered pig farms") have ceased to supply live pigs to Hong Kong, resulting in a substantial decrease in the daily number of live pigs imported from the Mainland from 4 000 heads in the past to below 1 700 heads at present. The wholesale and retail prices of pork have consequently surged and, as a result, the relevant trades and members of the public have been greatly affected. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it knows the changes in the national monthly figures on (i) the pig rearing capacity, (ii) the quantity of feed consumed and (iii) the number of pig farms, since August last year; if such information is not available, whether it will expeditiously seek such information from the relevant Mainland authorities;
(2)
of (i) the number of Mainland-registered pig farms, the change in that number and the up-to-date list of the farms, in each quarter, and (ii) the monthly average retail price of local fresh pork, since August last year; if such information is not available, whether it will compile the statistics expeditiously;
(3)
given that the relief measures introduced recently by the Government (including reducing rental for stalls in public markets and waiving the licence fees for fresh provision shops, slaughterhouses and pig farms) are only short-term in nature, whether the Government will make reference to the practice of the Central Government and introduce more proactive measures to promote live pig production and safeguard market supply, including (i) providing support in the form of subsidies and subsidized interest for loans, (ii) exploring the provision of additional sites for pig rearing and offering loans to pig farm licensees in order to increase the pig rearing capacity, and (iii) providing the live pig-related trades with targeted subsidies for stabilizing live pig production, so as to alleviate the problem of rising pig prices and promote the development of the local pig rearing industry in the long run;
(4)
as the authorities have indicated that they will explore using the unused licensed rearing capacity of local pig farms (about 11 000 heads) to increase live pig rearing capacity, but there are only a few pig farms which have unused capacity and the licensees concerned may not be willing to increase their rearing capacity, whether the Government will consider increasing the licensed rearing capacity prescribed under various licences, so as to increase pig rearing capacity more effectively and comprehensively;
(5)
as the authorities have undertaken to enhance comprehensively the quarantine and disinfection work covering the various aspects of the transportation chain for live pigs (including converting pig-carrying trucks to half-sealing and considering the installation of additional disinfection facilities at slaughterhouses for vehicles entering and leaving the slaughterhouses), and to provide a timetable of the relevant work, of the progress and timetable of such work;
(6)
given that although pork supply is still tight on the Mainland at present, the quantity of live pigs supplied to Hong Kong in the past (about 4 000 heads per day) actually accounted for only a tiny proportion of the pig rearing capacity of the whole nation (about hundreds of millions of heads), and that the authorities have also indicated that they will discuss with the relevant Mainland authorities and try their best to bring the supply of live pigs to Hong Kong back to its previous level, of the progress and details of such work;
(7)
as the authorities have indicated that they will consider importing live pigs from overseas, of the progress and details of such work;
(8)
of (i) the total quantity of import of chilled and frozen pork, (ii) the top 10 regions that supplied the largest quantities of chilled and frozen pork to Hong Kong, (iii) the changes in the number of fresh provision shops eligible for selling chilled and frozen pork, and (iv) the number of cases uncovered by the authorities of such shops selling chilled and frozen pork disguised as fresh pork, in the past three years; and
(9)
as it has been reported that some countries and regions have ceased to import chilled and frozen pork from the infected areas in order to prevent the spread of ASF, whether Hong Kong currently imports chilled and frozen pork from the infected areas; if so, of the details, and why the Government does not suspend all import of pork from those areas?





Question 15
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Unnatural death and dead body found cases

Hon Jeremy TAM to ask:
It has been reported that a number of suspected suicide cases and dead body found cases may be associated with the disturbances arising from opposition to the proposed legislative amendments. Regarding the unnatural death cases (including suicide and murder cases) and dead body found cases handled by the Police since June this year, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the numbers of such cases, and how they compare with those of the same period last year;
(2)
of the following details of each case (set out in a table):
(i)
the date and time when the case was reported,
(ii)
the age and gender of the deceased,
(iii)
the place where the incident happened/the dead body/bodies was/were found,
(iv)
the date and time when the police officers first arrived at the scene, and the date and time when they left the scene,
(v)
the number of police officers who were first to arrive at the scene, and the department/police district to which they belong,
(vi)
whether the deceased was/were certified dead at the scene or upon arrival at the hospital,
(vii)
whether the case was classified as suicide (if so, the means by which the suicide was committed and reasons for the act, as well as whether any suicide notes were found),
(viii)
whether there were superficial injuries on the dead body/bodies of the deceased (if so, of the details),
(ix)
whether the clothes on the dead body/bodies of the deceased were untempered,
(x)
whether the Police have gained contact with the family members of the deceased,
(xi)
whether any inquest into the case has been/will be held by a Coroner's Court (if an inquest has already been held, of the finding), and
(xii)
whether the dead body/bodies of the deceased has/have been buried or cremated (if so, of the date);
(3)
of the respective numbers of cases in which the Police have been unable to (i) ascertain the identity of the deceased and (ii) gain contact with the family members of the deceased;
(4)
of the respective numbers of cases in which:
(a)
the deceased was/were suspected of falling from height;
(b)
the body/bodies of the deceased was/were found in the sea; and
(c)
the body/bodies of the deceased was/were found at other places,
together with a breakdown by whether or not the Police (i) concluded the case to be suspicious, (ii) carried out any investigation, and (iii) found any suicide notes;
(5)
of the number of suspicious death cases investigation into which by the Police has been completed; among such cases, the number of those in which the causes of death of the deceased were suspected to be associated with the movement of opposition to the proposed legislative amendments;
(6)
of the number of cases into which inquests have been held by a Coroner's Court; among such cases, the respective numbers of those into which inquests were held (a) pursuant to the decision of the Coroner, (b) upon the application made by family members of the deceased to the Court of First Instance and (c) upon the application made by the Secretary for Justice to the Court of First Instance; the respective numbers of cases into which the inquest found that the death being (i) a suicide, (ii) an accidental death, (iii) death by misadventure, (iv) a lawful killing, (v) an unlawfully killing, and (v) an open verdict;
(7)
of the criteria adopted by the Police for determining whether the causes of death of the deceased were suspicious, and the respective procedure adopted for handling the bodies of the deceased in the suspicious cases and the non-suspicious cases; and
(8)
whether any common attributes were found among such cases (e.g. the scene and the date and time of the incident)?





Question 16
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Food Truck Pilot Scheme

Hon Jimmy NG to ask:
The Government has extended the Food Truck Pilot Scheme, which was launched in February 2017, by two years to 2 February 2021. Under the licensing conditions, the 15 food trucks may operate only at (i) designated operating locations on a rotation basis or (ii) venues of self-identified events that meet specific conditions (i.e. being open to the public, having publicity plans and appropriate licences for which having been obtained). It has been reported that the number of tourists and local residents visiting various operating locations has been dropping continuously since the eruption of the disturbances arising from the opposition to the proposed legislative amendments. To reduce their losses, operators of food trucks designated to operate at locations with low people flow have opted not to do business instead. In the past few weeks, among the 11 operating locations, there were only four locations, at the most, in a week the food trucks at which were open for business, and some of the food trucks were open for business from Friday to Sunday only. Some food truck operators have criticized that as the authorities do not understand the operating difficulties of food trucks and ignore the aspirations of the operators, it is difficult for their food truck business to sustain. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it has conducted studies to look into the causes for the great variances in (i) the business performance of the food trucks and (ii) their business performance at different operating locations; if so, set out the relevant information in a table; if not, whether it will conduct such studies;
(2)
whether it has compiled statistics on (i) the volume of people flow at the various designated operating locations and (ii) the turnover of the food trucks, at different hours and during various events; if so, set out the relevant information in a table; if not, whether it will compile such statistics;
(3)
whether it will relax the relevant licensing conditions so as to give the food trucks greater room for survival, e.g. allowing, on the premise of not affecting the traffic and the business situation of eateries in the vicinity, the food trucks to participate in private parties which are not open to the public, so as to offset the losses incurred by their operation at the designated operating locations; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(4)
given that the Government announced in October this year the reduction by half in the rentals payable by the food trucks for operating at Government venues, whether it will consider negotiating with the management of the designated operating locations which are not Government venues (including the Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Golden Bauhinia Square, and Central Harbourfront Event Space) to offer rental reduction of the same rate to food trucks operating at such venues; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5)
whether it will remove those operating locations with lower people flow and poorer business performance for food trucks, and introduce new operating locations; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?





Question 17
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Non-refoulement claimants

Hon Elizabeth QUAT to ask:
Under the prevailing policy, where non-refoulement claimants ("claimants") who are to be repatriated have lodged applications for judicial review ("JR") in relation to the results of their claims, the Immigration Department ("ImmD") will temporarily suspend the actions of sending them back to their places of origin. The number of applications for leave for JR in relation to the results of such claims received by the Court of First Instance surged from 1 006 in 2017 to 2 851 in 2018. To reduce abuse of the procedure for handling claims, the authorities indicated in January this year that they were considering amending the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). Moreover, the authorities proposed in June this year to amend the High Court Ordinance (Cap. 4) to facilitate the handling of cases, including claims-related JR applications, in a more efficient manner. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it knows the number of applications for leave for JR received by the Judiciary from claimants since 1 January this year, as well as the relevant estimated figure for the coming year;
(2)
whether it knows the respective maximum numbers of relevant (i) applications for leave for JR and (ii) appeal cases that can be heard by the court each year at present; the time needed, as estimated by the Judiciary on the basis of the current numbers and trends of these two types of cases, for all such cases to be heard;
(3)
whether it knows the amount of expenditure incurred by the Judiciary in each of the past three years for handling the applications for leave for JR and appeal cases in relation to the results of such claims, as well as the estimated amount of the relevant expenditure in the coming three years (set out in a table);
(4)
of the latest progress of the work to amend Cap. 4 and Cap. 115;
(5)
as the Judiciary's earlier proposal to reduce the number of judges hearing appeals concerning applications for leave for JR from three to two is considered to be not very effective, whether the authorities have discussed with the Judiciary the adoption of other new measures to expeditiously clear the backlog of applications for leave for JR and appeal cases; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(6)
whether it knows if the Judiciary will consider setting up special courts to expedite the hearing of claims-related cases, so as to avoid affecting the pace of other JR cases being heard;
(7)
of the number of claimants in each of the past five years who were arrested for taking up illegal employment during the period when the hearings for their applications for leave for JR were pending (set out in a table);
(8)
of the respective current numbers of the various types of claimants in Hong Kong (including claimants who have lodged claims, have lodged appeals against the results of their claims, have lodged applications for leave for JR, have lodged appeals against the results of their applications for leave for JR, are being imprisoned and are awaiting repatriation, as well as claimants whose claims have been substantiated and who are awaiting arrangements for departing Hong Kong);
(9)
of the estimated public expenditure involving claimants in each of the coming four financial years (set out a breakdown of the expenditure in a table); and
(10)
whether ImmD is equipped with adequate facilities for detaining those claimants who pose a threat to life or property; whether the authorities will, by making reference to the past practices adopted by the Government for handling Vietnamese boat people, detain such claimants in closed facilities?





Question 18
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Enhanced tax deduction for research and development expenditures

Hon Charles Peter MOK to ask:
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 7) Ordinance 2018 came into operation on 2 November 2018. The expenditure s incurred by enterprises on research and development ("R&D") activities conducted on 1 April 2018 or thereafter are classified into Type A and Type B. Type A expenditures are qualified for the current 100% tax deduction. For Type B expenditures, the deduction is 300% for the first $2 million and 200% for the remaining amount. "Qualifying R&D activities" are classified into out-sourced and in-house R&D activities. The amounts of (i) payments made to "designated local research institutions" ("DLRIs") in respect of the former and (ii) "qualifying expenditures" (i.e. expenditures in relation to employees and consumable items) paid in respect of the latter by enterprises are Type B expenditures, which are qualified for the aforesaid tax deduction at a higher percentage. R&D service providers are required to apply to the Innovation and Technology Commission for designation as DLRIs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective numbers of applications for designation as DLRIs received, approved and rejected to date by the authorities; if there are rejected applications, of the reasons for that;
(2)
of the number of enterprises which have applied for tax deduction for R&D expenditures since the aforesaid Ordinance came into operation, as well as the total R&D expenditures involved, with a breakdown by the following types of expenditure:
Type B expenditures
(i)
expenditures on out-sourced qualifying R&D activities,
(ii)
qualifying expenditures on in-house qualifying R&D activities,
Type A expenditures
(iii)
other expenditures on in-house qualifying R&D activities, and
(iv)
expenditures on other R&D activities; and
(3)
whether it has plans to provide additional tax concessions for R&D related activities; if so, of the details?





Question 19
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Development of underground space

Hon CHAN Hoi-yan to ask:
Regarding the development of underground space, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the total length of the pedestrian passageways situated below the ground at public places at present, with a breakdown by District Council ("DC") district;
(2)
of the respective total floor areas and percentages of the commercial space situated below the ground at Government properties and private properties at present, with a breakdown by DC district;
(3)
of the respective total floor areas of the car parks situated (i) above the ground at Government sites, (ii) below the ground at Government sites, (iii) above the ground at private sites and (iv) below the ground at private sites, as well as the respective numbers of the various types of car parking spaces provided in such car parks, in each of the past five years, with a breakdown by DC district;
(4)
whether it has plans to construct underground passageways to link various MTR stations which are situated underground for the provision of pedestrian and commercial facilities; if so, of the details; if not, whether it will consider expeditiously commencing a relevant study and formulating an implementation timetable; and
(5)
whether it has plans to, by drawing reference from the experience of overseas countries, formulate a comprehensive blueprint for underground space development to put below the ground as far as possible communal facilities such as sewage and waste treatment; if so, of the details (including the locations); if not, whether it will consider expeditiously commencing a relevant study?





Question 20
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Traffic congestion in Happy Valley and Causeway Bay

Hon Paul TSE to ask:
Some residents have complained that traffic congestion frequently occurs in the vicinity of Caroline Hill Road, Ventris Road, Link Road and Leighton Road in Happy Valley and Causeway Bay, particularly during evening commuting hours on weekdays and at noon on weekends. During peak hours, the tailback even reaches Broadwood Road, thus paralyzing the traffic to and from the Broadwood district, Jardine's Lookout and Tai Hang. During the time when matches are held in the Hong Kong Stadium, vehicles can hardly move in the areas concerned. In addition, driving test candidates learning driving and taking road tests in these areas are also major causes for the traffic congestion. On the other hand, the Government is planning to use the site of the ex-Electrical and Mechanical Services Department Headquarters and the adjacent sites on Caroline Hill Road for the construction of a new district court and for commercial purposes, including the provision of as many as 600 car parking spaces. Some residents are worried that the development project, once implemented, will inevitably aggravate the traffic congestion in the areas concerned. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it knows the respective numbers of persons across the territory who (i) learned driving and (ii) took road tests, as well as the respective rates of year-on-year increase, in each of the past three years; among such persons who took road tests, of the number and percentage of those who chose to take the tests in the So Kon Po Driving Test Centre in Wanchai;
(2)
whether it conducted any assessment in the past three years on the traffic load caused by driving test candidates learning driving and taking road tests in the aforesaid areas; if so, of the assessment outcome; if not, whether it will do so expeditiously;
(3)
as some members of the public have criticized that with an increasing number of persons learning driving in recent years, coupled with the busy traffic in the adjacent business districts, the aforesaid areas are not suitable for activities of learning driving and conducting road tests, and that the aforesaid development project, upon its completion, will bring extra traffic load to the areas which may aggravate road congestion, whether the authorities will expeditiously relocate the two driving test centres in the areas (particularly the So Kon Po Driving Test Centre), or adjust the driving test routes, so as to alleviate the traffic load in the areas concerned; if so, of the details (including the sites identified and the timetable); if not, the reasons for that;
(4)
as vehicles often stop inside the yellow box markings at three road junctions in the areas (namely the junction of Leighton Road, Caroline Hill Road and Hoi Ping Road, the junction of Caroline Hill Road and Link Road, as well as the junction of Broadwood Road and Ventris Road), causing obstruction to the traffic, whether the Police will deploy traffic police officers to station there during traffic peak hours to step up law enforcement and direct traffic; and
(5)
as the aforesaid development project has been drawn up on the basis of the data of a traffic flow survey conducted more than two years ago, whether the Government will conduct a survey afresh in order to more accurately access if the roads in the areas can cope with the traffic flow to be generated by the project?





Question 21
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Participation of public healthcare sector staff
in exchange activities on the Mainland

Dr Hon Pierre CHAN to ask:
Regarding the situation of staff members of the Hospital Authority ("HA") and the Department of Health ("DH") participating in the Course on National Affairs for Hong Kong Professionals ("the Course") and other exchange activities on the Mainland, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the number of invitations received by HA for nominating staff members to participate in the Course, and the number of staff members nominated by HA to participate in the Course, in each year since 2015, with a breakdown by the grade and rank to which they belonged in the following table;
Staff members20152016201720182019
Medical grade
 (i)Chief of Service     
 (ii)Consultant     
 (iii)Senior Medical Officer/Associate Consultant     
 (iv)Medical Officer/Resident     
Nursing grade
 (i)Senior Nursing Officer or above     
 (ii)Department Operations Manager     
 (iii)Ward Manager/Nurse Specialist/
Nursing Officer/Advanced Practice Nurse
     
 (iv)Registered Nurse     
 (v)Enrolled Nurse     
Allied health professional     
Executive     
Others (please specify)     
Total number of participating staff     
(2)
of the amount of expenditure incurred by HA arising from its staff members' participation in the Course, and the total number of days of paid study leave granted by HA to such staff members, in each year since 2015; the number of days such Courses lasted (if the number varied, set out the information by commencement date);
(3)
of the year starting from which HA nominated staff members to participate in the Course, and the cumulative number of staff members who have participated in the Course to date; and
(4)
of the number of invitations received by DH for nominating staff members to participate in (i) the Course and (ii) other exchange activities on the Mainland, in each year since 2015, and set out the relevant figures respectively according to the formats in (1) to (3)?  





Question 22
(For written reply)

(Translation)

Extension of the service of civil servants

Hon HO Kai-ming to ask:
The Government launched in July last year an initiative of extending the service of civil servants. Those civil servants who joined the Government between 1 June 2000 and 31 May 2015 are given two years (i.e. from 17 September 2018 to 16 September 2020) to decide whether or not to apply for raising their retirement age. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective numbers of applications for raising retirement age which have been (i) received, (ii) approved, and (iii) rejected so far, as well as (iv) the number of such applications being processed, together with a breakdown by government department and applicant's rank (i.e. lower, middle and senior ranks); if some applications were rejected, of the reasons for that; and
(2)
whether it will consider afresh extending the aforesaid initiative to cover those serving civil servants who joined the Government before 1 June 2000; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?