A 2022-33
Legislative Council
Agenda
Wednesday 14 December 2022 at 11:00 am
I.
Laying of Papers on the Table of the Council
1 item of subsidiary legislation and 26 other papers to be laid on the Table of the Council set out in
Appendix 1Public officer/Members to address the Council
Papers
1.
Chief Secretary for Administration
2.
Hon Paul TSE
3.
Hon SHIU Ka-fai
4.
Dr Hon Junius HO
5.
Hon CHAN Han-pan
6.
Hon LUK Chung-hung
7.
Ir Dr Hon LO Wai-kwok
8.
Hon Frankie YICK
9.
Hon Holden CHOW
10.
Hon Jimmy NG
11.
Dr Hon Priscilla LEUNG
12.
Hon CHAN Hak-kan
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 Transport and Logistics
2.
3.
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
4.
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Environment and Ecology
5.
Secretary for Development
6.
Contents of 22 questions, Members to ask such questions and public officers to reply set out in
Appendix 2Government Bills
First Reading and Second Reading (debate to be adjourned)
1.
:
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
2.
:
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
3.
:
Secretary for Development
Second Reading (debate to resume), consideration by committee of the whole Council and Third Reading
4.
:
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Amendment mover
:
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
(Amendments set out in LC Paper No.
CB(3)886/2022(01) issued on 7 December 2022)
(Debate and voting arrangements set out in LC Paper No.
CB(3)908/2022(01) issued on 12 December 2022)
Request for Special Leave of the Council to Give Evidence of Council Proceedings
Request made under section 7 of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance (Cap. 382) and Rule 90 of the Rules of Procedure for special leave of the Council to give evidence of Council proceedings
Department of Justice's request
:
Members' Motions
Motion on "Comprehensively understanding the country's development and telling good stories of China and Hong Kong, China"
Mover
:
Hon CHAN Yung
Wording of the motion
:
2 amendment movers
:
Hon TANG Ka-piu and Hon YIM Kong
(Amendments set out in LC Paper No.
CB(3)889/2022 issued on 9 December 2022)
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Under Secretary for Education
Motion on "Comprehensively reviewing and improving Hong Kong's dental service system and manpower needs"
Mover
:
Hon CHAN Han-pan
Wording of the motion
:
4 amendment movers
:
Hon CHAN Hoi-yan, Hon Joephy CHAN, Dr Hon David LAM and Ir Hon LEE Chun-keung
(Amendments set out in LC Paper No.
CB(3)899/2022 issued on 9 December 2022)
Public officers to attend
:
Secretary for Health
Under Secretary for Health
Clerk to the Legislative Council
Appendix 1
Council meeting on 14 December 2022
Laying of Papers on the Table of the Council
Subsidiary legislation
Legal Notice No.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
22 questions to be asked at the Council meeting on 14 December 2022
Subject matters
Public officers to reply
Questions for oral replies
1
Hon TANG Ka-piu
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
2
Hon Lillian KWOK
3
Hon Rock CHEN
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
4
Hon CHAN Hoi-yan
Secretary for Development
Secretary for Environment and Ecology
5
Hon Kenneth LAU
Secretary for Development
6
Hon LAU Kwok-fan
Questions for written replies
7
Dr Hon Hoey Simon LEE
8
Dr Hon Wendy HONG
9
Hon Joephy CHAN
10
Hon YUNG Hoi-yan
Secretary for the Civil Service
11
Hon Kenneth LEUNG
12
Hon SO Cheung-wing
Secretary for Environment and Ecology
13
Hon CHAN Kin-por
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
14
Hon LAM So-wai
15
Hon LUK Chung-hung
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
16
Hon Jimmy NG
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
17
Hon CHAN Pui-leung
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
18
Hon Vincent CHENG
Secretary for Development
19
Hon Stanley LI
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
20
Hon Frankie YICK
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
21
Dr Hon NGAN Man-yu
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
22
Hon Tony TSE
Secretary for Transport and Logistics
Question 1
(For oral reply)
(Translation)
Proposed East Kowloon Line
Hon TANG Ka-piu to ask:
In the Railway Development Strategy 2014, the Government put forward the construction of the East Kowloon Line ("EKL") with a view to addressing the traffic problems in Kowloon East. The Government indicated last month that it expected to complete the relevant technical feasibility study in the first half of next year, and it would promulgate the way forward of the project. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
as the Government has indicated that it is exploring the construction of an elevated trackless rapid transit system for developing EKL, of the difference in the construction time and cost required between such system and the conventional heavy rail system, as well as whether it has assessed the impact of such system on the travelling modes of the residents in Kowloon East, and the estimated vehicle flow that can be reduced within the district;
(2)
as the Government has indicated that due to the topographical and technical issues along the proposed EKL, it is unable to extend EKL to Tsz Wan Shan and Lam Tin, whether the Government will employ jointly the technologies used in building underground tunnels and elevated corridors to resolve the relevant problems; and
(3)
as it is learnt that the MTR Choi Hung Station will become the major interchange station for EKL to connect with the MTR Kwun Tong Line, whether it knows if the MTR Corporation Limited will provide additional lifts or escalators at the MTR Choi Hung Station to facilitate seamless interchange between the two railway lines?
Question 2
(For oral reply)
(Translation)
Using Putonghua as the medium of instruction
for teaching the Chinese Language subject
Hon Lillian KWOK to ask:
The Education Bureau ("EDB") mentioned, in a curriculum development document published in 2000, that using Putonghua as the medium of instruction for teaching the Chinese Language subject ("PMIC") be adopted as a long-term goal. On the other hand, there are views pointing out that in order to tie in with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, PMIC should be promoted in Hong Kong to enable students to acquire proficiency in Putonghua as early as possible, so as to prepare them for future studies or employment on the Mainland. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
how the current implementation situation of PMIC in Hong Kong compares with that 10 years ago; whether the current number of publicly-funded primary and secondary schools (including government and aided schools as well as schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme) implementing PMIC has increased, and of the difficulties encountered when implementing PMIC;
(2)
of the current number of teachers in Hong Kong who possess qualifications for teaching Putonghua; among such teachers, the number of those who have passed the Language Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (Putonghua), and the number of those who have obtained the result of Grade B, Level 2 or above in the Test of Proficiency in Putonghua conducted by the State Language Commission; and
(3)
whether EDB has reviewed the implementation situation of PMIC and formulated plans to step up the promotion of PMIC; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 3
(For oral reply)
(Translation)
Outflow of financial institutions and talents
Hon Rock CHEN to ask:
It has been reported that the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association's survey has shown that over 30% of its member companies have already started to transfer some or all of their businesses in Hong Kong to their offices in other regions, and one of the reasons for this is that anti-epidemic restrictions have not yet been removed in Hong Kong. Moreover, it is learnt that in September this year, the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") requested financial institutions to recall their licensed representatives stationed overseas to Hong Kong, because prolonged absence of licensed individuals of investment companies and securities brokers from Hong Kong may pose risks to the daily operation of these institutions. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
given that SFC has, in the light of the epidemic, allowed licensed corporations ("LCs") to adopt temporary contingency measures to deploy licensed individuals to work in overseas offices for providing trading services to clients, but following the relaxation of the arrival quarantine arrangements, whether it knows if the temporary measures concerned have changed; if they remain unchanged for the time being, of the circumstances or factors on which SFC will depend to make an adjustment;
(2)
whether it knows if SFC has, during the epidemic, grasped the numbers of LCs' licensed representatives and responsible officers stationed overseas; if it has, of the respective relevant numbers, and whether there is an obvious increasing trend in such numbers; and
(3)
as it is learnt that some international asset management companies have already moved their company or regional headquarters to Singapore, of the progressive measures put in place by the Government to attract them to base in Hong Kong afresh?
Question 4
(For oral reply)
(Translation)
Water seepage problems in buildings
Hon CHAN Hoi-yan to ask:
At present, the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints ("JO") set up by the Buildings Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct investigations upon receipt of reports from members of the public on water seepage in buildings and, where a nuisance has arisen, issue a nuisance notice or institute prosecution under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance. However, it is learnt that particular water seepage situations (e.g. condensation water caused by the operation of chilling facilities) are determined as "not causing any public health nuisance" and will not be followed up further. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
among the cases into which investigations had been completed by JO in each of the past five years, of the number of those cases which were not followed up further as such cases had been determined as "not causing any public health nuisance", and the percentage of such cases in the total number of reports;
(2)
of the specific conditions that constitute "causing public health nuisance" under the existing legislation, and whether sewage seepage must be involved in the situation in order to be regarded by law enforcement officers as meeting the relevant conditions for taking follow-up actions; and
(3)
as there are views that chronic water seepage in buildings not only causes hygiene problems, but may also cause damages to building structure, whether the authorities will examine amending the legislation to empower JO to follow up cases of non-sewage seepage that may affect structural safety of buildings?
Question 5
(For oral reply)
(Translation)
Extending the seawater supply network for flushing to
rural areas across the territory
Hon Kenneth LAU to ask:
Some residents living in villages in the New Territories ("NT") have relayed to me that while the Government is committed to improving the seawater supply system for flushing in urban areas to provide the majority of members of the public in Hong Kong with free seawater as flushing water, it has not extended the seawater supply network for flushing to cover rural areas across the territory. As a result, some households living in villages can only use fresh water for flushing and are thus required to pay high water charges, giving rise to the perception of unfair distribution of resources. Moreover, if the premises of such households are connected to communal drains, they have to pay sewage charges calculated based on the volume of water consumed under the Sewage Services Ordinance at the same time. They have queried that the arrangement concerned is double charging. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the following information on the villages in NT which are currently not supplied with seawater for flushing purpose: (i) the name of the villages, (ii) the number of village houses and squatter structures, (iii) the number of residents, and (iv) the reasons for not being supplied with seawater for flushing purpose;
(2)
whether it will subsidize households living in villages in NT to lay salt water mains to connect the Government's seawater supply network for flushing, or otherwise exempt such households from double charging; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3)
how it supports villages in NT to further reduce the demand for using fresh water for flushing, and raises the coverage of the seawater supply network for flushing?
Question 6
(For oral reply)
(Translation)
Allocation mechanism for public rental housing flats
Hon LAU Kwok-fan to ask:
Public rental housing ("PRH") flats available for selection by PRH applicants are currently divided into four districts, namely Urban, Extended Urban, New Territories, and Islands. PRH flats are allocated by random computer batching in accordance with established criteria, and eligible applicants are entitled to three flat offers. I have received requests for assistance from quite a number of PRH applicants. For instance, some Tuen Mun residents were allocated flats in Queen's Hill Estate in the North District, while some North District residents were allocated flats in Ching Tin Estate in Tuen Mun. As the flats allocated were far away from their original living circles and would entail cross-district employment or schooling, some applicants turned down the housing offer and rather wait for another allocation. There are views that the aforesaid situation has slowed down the turnover of PRH flats. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective numbers and percentages of PRH applicants who accepted the first, the second and the third flat allocation in the past five years; after an applicant had turned down an allocation, the average waiting time for the applicant to be given another allocation;
(2)
whether it has plans to re-delineate the four districts available for selection by PRH applicants, e.g. by dividing New Territories into New Territories East and New Territories West, or by subdividing this district into Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Sheung Shui, Fanling and Tai Po, so that allocation of PRH flats will be more targeted and PRH waiting time for members of the public will be shortened; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3)
whether it has considered ways to enhance the allocation mechanism for PRH flats, e.g. by using new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence for arranging applicants to be allocated PRH flats within their original districts as far as possible, or by establishing a mechanism for exchanging PRH flats allocated to allow room for flat swapping among PRH applicants, thereby speeding up the turnover of PRH flats; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 7
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Curbing triad-related crimes
Dr Hon Hoey Simon LEE to ask:
It has been reported that a number of triad-related wounding cases, including blatant shootings and knife attacks on the streets, have happened in various districts in Hong Kong this year, arousing wide public concern. There are views pointing out that such cases not only endanger the personal safety of members of the public, but also tarnish Hong Kong's international image. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the following information on the triad-related wounding cases happened in each month since January 2022: (i) the number of cases, (ii) how such figures compare with those of the same period last year, (iii) the casualty situation of such cases, and (iv) the percentage of cases in which the attackers were successfully apprehended;
(2)
whether it has studied the causes of the rampant incidence of triad-related crimes; if so, of the outcome; if not, whether it will conduct relevant studies; and
(3)
whether, in order to protect the personal safety of Hong Kong people, to build a good social environment and international image for Hong Kong, and to support the policy of "competing for talents" proposed by the Chief Executive, the authorities will take more effective measures to curb triad-related crimes; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 8
(For written reply)
(Translation)
White Form Secondary Market Scheme
Dr Hon Wendy HONG to ask:
In response to the aspiration of the sandwich class to buy their own homes, the Hong Kong Housing Authority ("HA") has implemented the White Form Secondary Market Scheme ("WSM") to allow persons eligible for White Form status and allocated with quotas ("White Form buyers") to buy one flat with premium unpaid in the secondary market of subsidized sale housing flats (collectively referred to as "Home Ownership Scheme flats" or "HOS flats"). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
regarding the relevant interim scheme launched in 2013 and 2015, as well as each of the WSM exercises launched since 2018 upon regularization of WSM, of the respective numbers of (i) eligible applications received from, as well as (ii) Certificate of Eligibility to Purchase ("CEP") and (iii) "Letter of Nomination" issued to, (a) family applicants and (b) one-person applicants, by HA/the Hong Kong Housing Society (set out in the table below);
| Year of WSM |
Quota |
(i) |
(ii) |
(iii) |
| (a) |
(b) |
(a) |
(b) |
(a) |
(b) |
| Interim scheme of 2013 |
5 000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Interim scheme of 2015 |
2 500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2018 |
2 500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2019 |
3 000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
4 500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2022 |
4 500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
given that the maximum mortgage default guarantee period ("guarantee period") provided by HA for HOS flat buyers is 30 years counting from the date of the first assignment of the flats, of the number and percentage, as at December this year, of flats in respect of which 20 years or above of the guarantee period have been spent, among those flats available for selection and purchase by White Form buyers; and
(3)
as it is learnt that amid the epidemic, quite a number of prospective White Form buyers have difficulties in making appointments to meet with flat owners and visit the flats, making the one-year validity period of CEP not long enough for them to select and purchase HOS flats, whether the Government will consider extending the validity period; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 9
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Improving the drug registration system
Hon Joephy CHAN to ask:
The 2022 Policy Address proposes to improve the drug registration system, with a view to allowing medicines registered on the Mainland and in relevant places to be approved for registration and sale in Hong Kong. However, recently the Government has proposed that for medicines registered in four places, namely the Mainland, Brazil, Korea and Singapore, while application for registering in Hong Kong may be made, such medicines have to be granted concurrently a certificate of pharmaceutical product registration ("certificate of registration") by one of the 32 countries originally listed in the "Guidance Notes on Registration of Pharmaceutical Products Containing a New Chemical or Biological Entity" ("the Guidance Notes") ("the originally listed regions") in order to be approved for use in Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
given that while the Guidance Notes require that medicines applying for registration in Hong Kong have to obtain beforehand a certificate of registration in two or more designated countries, the Government is currently dividing the places where certificates of registration are issued as set out in the Guidance Notes into two groups (i.e. the 32 originally listed regions as one group, and the four places, namely the Mainland, Brazil, Korea and Singapore, as another) and is imposing different requirements, whether the Government will consider combining the two groups together and aligning the 36 regions in a single tier, with a view to enabling a smoother cross-boundary introduction of pharmaceutical products from the Mainland and greater flexibility in Hong Kong's drug registration system; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(2)
whether, in the long run, the Government will consider establishing a local medicine certification centre in Hong Kong, such that Hong Kong's drug registration system no longer relies on foreign countries' certification; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 10
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Medical benefits for civil service eligible persons
Hon YUNG Hoi-yan to ask:
Under the contracts of employment with civil servants, civil servants/pensioners and their eligible dependents ("civil service eligible persons" or "CSEPs") are entitled to the medical benefits provided by the Government through the Department of Health ("DH") and the Hospital Authority ("HA"). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the current utilization rate of each of the six families clinics under DH, and whether the utilization rate of any of such clinics is close to saturation; if so, whether the time of operation of the clinics concerned will be extended; whether the Government will consider opening those clinics with lower utilization rates for use by the general public;
(2)
given that HA's general outpatient clinics ("GOPCs") provide serving civil servants with priority discs ("priority discs"), and the numbers of priority discs provided by different clinics are not the same and such numbers will be adjusted according to the actual circumstances on the day, whether it knows the criteria and factors for determining the numbers of priority discs;
(3)
given that currently there are only three HA's GOPCs with a utilization rate of priority discs of higher than 75% while the overall utilization rate is lower than 50%, whether the Government has regularly reviewed the numbers of priority discs distributed so that medical resources can be better utilized; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(4)
of the current waiting time for the specialist outpatient services provided to CSEPs; whether the Government has plans to expand the scope of such services, such as subsidizing CSEPs to seek treatment at HA's private clinics, so as to shorten the waiting time?
Question 11
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Using information technology to facilitate learning and teaching
Hon Kenneth LEUNG to ask:
The Education Bureau has been implementing various strategies on information technology ("IT") in education and e-learning initiatives since the 1998-1999 school year, with the goal of realizing the potential of IT in enhancing the interactive experiences and effectiveness of learning and teaching. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective implementation progress of the six supportive actions as set out in the Fourth Strategy on IT in Education (including (i) enhancing schools' IT infrastructure and re-engineering the operation mode, (ii) enhancing the quality of e-learning resources, (iii) renewing curriculum, transforming pedagogical and assessment practices, (iv) building professional leadership, capacity and communities of practice, (v) involving parents, stakeholders and the community, and (vi) sustaining the coherent development of IT in education), and whether it has reviewed the effectiveness of such actions; if so, of the review outcome and the related follow-up actions; if not, the reasons for that;
(2)
since the "Quality Education Fund e-Learning Funding Programme - Provision of Mobile Computer Devices and Internet Services Support" was launched, of the number of applications from schools, the number of students benefitted, the amount of subsidies, and the public expenditure involved, in each of the school years (set out in a table); whether it has considered regularizing the provision of mobile computer devices and internet services support for students with financial needs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(3)
given that there are views pointing out that the capability of implementing e-learning of various secondary and primary schools varies, and school IT technical support personnel ("technical personnel") are generally offered salaries below the market level with persistently high turnover rate, whether the Government knows the modes of employment of the technical personnel at various secondary and primary schools, as well as the respective average remuneration levels and turnover rates of the technical personnel engaged under different modes of employment, and whether it has assessed the impact of such employment arrangements and high turnover rates on the sustainability of schools' efforts in implementing IT in education; and
(4)
whether it will formulate the Fifth Strategy on IT in Education within the current school year, so as to promote the Government's collaboration with businesses and schools in developing local educational technology, thereby expediting the application and popularization of the educational technology; if so, of the details and specific timetable; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 12
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Adjustment of electricity tariff
Hon SO Cheung-wing to ask:
As indicated in the findings of the latest Annual Tariff Reviews released by the two power companies at the end of November this year, the average net tariffs of the CLP Power Hong Kong Limited and the Hongkong Electric Company Limited to be effective in January next year show a respective rate of increase of about 6.4% and 5.5% when compared with the relevant figures in November this year, and with the year-on-year rate of increase in average net tariff standing at about 19.8% and 45.6% respectively. There are views that as the epidemic in Hong Kong has yet to recede, and the local economy is still recovering, the two power companies' substantial increase in electricity tariff resulting from the persistent surge in fuel clause charge will impose significant pressure on the operating costs of small businesses and the cost of living of the grassroots. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it will consider extending the Electricity Charges Subsidy Scheme and the Electricity Charges Relief Scheme which will expire respectively in May next year and by the end of next year, so as to alleviate the burden of electricity tariff on small and medium enterprises as well as the grassroots;
(2)
whether it will, in the future, facilitate the strengthening of cooperation between the two power companies and the Mainland, enhance the energy supply structure in Hong Kong, and explore channels for diversified fuel supplies, so as to alleviate the pressure on local tariff increase arising from the price surges in the international fuel market, thereby keeping the future rate of increase of tariff as low as possible; and
(3)
whether it will expedite the exploration with the two power companies the possibility of connecting with the power grids in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a view to ensuring the long-term supply of more clean energy from the Mainland to Hong Kong, thereby alleviating the reliance of the two power companies on the international fuel market, reducing their expenditure on fuel purchase, and benefitting businesses and members of the public?
Question 13
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Attracting foreign companies to Hong Kong
Hon CHAN Kin-por to ask:
As revealed by the 2022 Annual Survey of Companies in Hong Kong with Parent Companies Located outside Hong Kong released by the Government last month, as at mid-September this year, the total number of regional headquarters ("RHQs"), regional offices and local offices in Hong Kong with parent companies located outside Hong Kong (collectively referred to as "foreign companies") was 8 978, representing a decrease of 71 companies compared with the same period last year, and it was also the first time since 2019 that such number fell below 9 000. Among these foreign companies, 1 411 were RHQs in Hong Kong with parent companies located outside Hong Kong, representing a decrease of 46 companies compared with the same period last year. There are views that such situation is worrying. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it has gained an understanding of the reasons for the slump in the number of foreign companies in the past year; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2)
as the aforesaid survey has pointed out that 3% of the foreign companies surveyed planned to phase out or relocate outside Hong Kong part or all of their businesses in Hong Kong, and 16% of the foreign companies surveyed indicated that they were uncertain about their business plans in Hong Kong, whether the Government will endeavour to retain these companies, including providing them with one-stop services and concessions that better suit their needs;
(3)
whether it will expedite the establishment of the "Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises" ("OASES") and expeditiously switch to a proactive strategy to attract enterprises, with a view to consolidating Hong Kong's status as international financial and trade centres; and
(4)
given that OASES is temporarily only focusing on attracting industries of strategic importance (such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data science, as well as financial technology) to Hong Kong, whether Invest Hong Kong will concurrently adopt, in respect of industries other than those of strategic importance, a more proactive approach for attracting their investors to Hong Kong?
Question 14
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Elective total joint replacement surgery
of public hospitals
Hon LAM So-wai to ask:
According to the Report on Key Performance Indicators published by the Hospital Authority ("HA") in September this year, the waiting time at 90th percentile for elective total joint replacement surgery for the year from July 2021 to June 2022 was 72 months, which was lengthened by 16 months when compared with 56 months for the year before that. This situation has caused patients affected by knee osteoarthritis and associated pains to have to wait as long as six years before they can receive the surgery. As a result, they have to suffer from joint pains for a longer period of time. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether it knows the reasons for the increase in the waiting time for the aforesaid type of surgery;
(2)
whether it knows if HA will take further measures to alleviate the problem of excessively long waiting time for the aforesaid type of surgery; if HA will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3)
whether it will consider launching a public-private partnership programme for the aforesaid type of surgery; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 15
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Supporting the public transport sector
Hon LUK Chung-hung to ask:
Quite a number of members of the public transport sector have relayed that, hard hit by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 epidemic, there has been a drop in patronage of various public transport modes, resulting in a decrease in their income. Although the Government has provided them with one-off subsidies and fuel subsidies, they are still facing great difficulties in their businesses. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
whether the Transport Department ("TD") has gained an understanding from the operators of public light buses ("PLBs") of the current business situations of various routes of green minibuses ("GMBs") and red minibuses ("RMBs") (including the ratio of routes making a profit to those suffering a loss, whether the operators have sufficient liquidity to cope with business difficulties, and whether they have any plans to close down their businesses or give up operating certain routes); if TD has, of the details; whether the Government will study maintaining the services of some minibus routes with business difficulties but with actual passenger demand, through a mode of purchasing services from the operators;
(2)
whether it has compiled statistics on the average amounts of fuel expenditures incurred by franchised buses, taxis, RMBs, GMBs, ferries and kaitos, and the rates of changes of such expenditures, as well as the proportions of such expenditures in their total operating costs, since January this year;
(3)
as the provision of fuel subsidies by the Government for PLBs and taxis will end on the 31st of this month, whether the Government will consider regularizing such subsidies; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(4)
as some members of the trade have relayed that the average monthly salary for GMB drivers is about $15,000, which is lower than the average monthly salary of about $22,430 for practitioners in the transport industry last year, leading to difficulties in attracting new blood to the trade and manpower shortage for GMB drivers, what specific proposals the Government has for ameliorating such situation?
Question 16
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Promoting the development of innovation and technology
as well as re-industrialization
Hon Jimmy NG to ask:
It has been reported that the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry indicated in July and October this year respectively his hope that within the current Government's term of office, the gross domestic expenditure on research and development ("R&D") ("GERD") as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product ("GDP") was not lower than 1.5%, and that the percentage of the contribution of the manufacturing industry to GDP could be increased from the current 1% to 10% within 10 years ("the two goals"). However, the about 110 indicators set in the 2022 Policy Address did not include the two goals. There are proposals pointing out that the Government may set more key performance indicators in relation to the development of innovation and technology ("I&T"), so as to make it easier for society to review the effectiveness of policies relating to I&T and "re-industrialization". In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the reasons why the two goals were not included in the indicators set in the 2022 Policy Address; whether it will plan to include the two goals in future Policy Addresses; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2)
whether it will set more performance indicators for assessing the latest development of I&T in Hong Kong, such as GERD per capita, the ratio of public sector versus private sector expenditure on R&D, the number of persons employed in the I&T sector per 1 000 labour force, the share of sales volume of I&T products, and the proceeds from I&T-related patents and technologies; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3)
whether it will introduce more support measures for Hong Kong-invested manufacturing enterprises doing businesses on the Mainland, such as introducing more funding schemes in the short term to assist such enterprises in promoting industrial upgrading and business transformation, as well as extending the support measures only applicable to industrial and commercial enterprises in Hong Kong currently to Hong Kong-invested manufacturing enterprises outside Hong Kong, and set performance indicators for the relevant work; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 17
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged
Hon CHAN Pui-leung to ask:
Regarding the Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged ("EPEM"), will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the numbers of placements for employees in the two age groups of (a) aged 40 to 59 and (b) aged 60 or above in each of the past five years as well as their respective average numbers over those five years, with a breakdown by (i) industry, (ii) occupation, (iii) education level, and (iv) salary level (set out in Tables 1 to 4);
Table 1
| (i) |
Age group |
No. of placements |
| 2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Average no. over the past five years |
| |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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Table 2
| (ii) |
Age group |
No. of placements |
| 2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Average no. over the past five years |
| |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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Table 3
| (iii) |
Age group |
No. of placements |
| 2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Average no. over the past five years |
| |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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Table 4
| (iv) |
Age group |
No. of placements |
| 2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Average no. over the past five years |
| |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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(2)
of (i) the on-the-job training ("OJT") completion rate and (ii) the retention rate upon completion of OJT of the employees with placements, in each of the past five years, as well as their average completion rate and average retention rate over those five years, with a breakdown by type of job ((a) full-time or (b) part-time) (set out in Table 5);
Table 5
| |
Type of job |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Average completion rate/retention rate over the past five years |
| (i) |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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| (ii) |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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(3)
of the (i) number of cases, (ii) number of employees, and (iii) expenditure involved in the applications for the OJT allowance which were approved in each of the past five years (with a breakdown by the two age groups of (a) aged 40 to 59 and (b) aged 60 or above) as well as the respective average numbers of (i), (ii) and (iii) over the past five years (set out in Table 6); and
Table 6
| |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Average no. over the past five years |
| (i) |
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| (ii) |
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| (iii) |
(a) |
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| (b) |
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(4)
whether it has set performance indicators for EPEM and reviewed in a timely manner its effectiveness in promoting the employment of elderly and middle-aged job seekers; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Question 18
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Law enforcement against subdivided units with irregularities
Hon Vincent CHENG to ask:
Currently, there is legislation in Hong Kong regulating the building structural safety and fire safety of subdivided units ("SDUs"), the installation of environmental hygiene facilities in SDUs, as well as the arrangements for SDUs' landlords to recover water charges from the occupants of their premises (usually their tenants). Regarding law enforcement against SDUs with irregularities, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective numbers of applications for building works regulated by the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) and associated with SDUs which were received and approved, as well as the respective numbers of notices of commencement of works and certificates of completion submitted under the Minor Works Control System which were received, in each of the past three years;
(2)
whether the Buildings Department, in accordance with building safety regulations relating to buildings, conducted inspections on and followed up the situation of unauthorized alterations in SDUs, in the past three years; if so, of the details and, among such inspections and follow-up cases, the respective numbers of prosecutions and convictions in each of those years;
(3)
as the Government indicated at the meeting of the Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Grass-roots Tenants of this Council on 28 October this year that in the past five years, a total of 8 412 SDUs had been inspected and 2 293 removal orders had been issued, among the unauthorized structures involved, of the number of those which have been removed or dealt with;
(4)
given that legislation relating to fire safety stipulates fire safety standards for residential buildings, whether the authorities inspected SDUs in Hong Kong in the past three years to see if they complied with the relevant standards and, among such inspections, of the respective numbers of prosecutions and convictions;
(5)
given that regulations relating to buildings set out the requirements on the installation of drains and sanitary fitments in buildings (including SDUs), whether the authorities inspected SDUs in Hong Kong in the past three years to see if they complied with the relevant requirements; if so, of the details and, among such inspections, the respective numbers of prosecutions and convictions; if not, the reasons for that; and
(6)
as it is learnt that recently two landlords of SDUs have been convicted of overcharging water charges in contravention of regulation 47 of the Waterworks Regulations (Cap. 102A), whether the authorities will study enhancing the relevant penalties to achieve a deterrent effect?
Question 19
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Hotline services for carers
Hon Stanley LI to ask:
It is learnt that the Government currently does not provide a dedicated hotline service for carers. Carers in need of support services can only call the general enquiry hotline of the Social Welfare Department ("SWD") or make telephone enquiries with various service organizations. There are views pointing out that although the SWD hotline operates 24 hours a day, it is not dedicated for carers, and most of the hotlines which are operated by non-governmental organizations ("NGOs") only provide services during office hours, which can hardly support the urgent needs of carers. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the utilization situation of SWD's hotline service in each of the past three years and since January this year, and set out, by the (i) service target, (ii) nature of the calls and (iii) time of the calls (i.e. morning, afternoon, evening, and late at night to the small hours) in a table, the number of cases received by the hotline;
(2)
of the manpower situation of SWD's hotline service in each of the past three years and since January this year, including the (i) actual staffing establishment and (ii) number of persons on duty;
(3)
of the average time taken after receipt of requests for assistance by the SWD hotline to handle such cases and the follow-up procedures;
(4)
whether it has reviewed the effectiveness of SWD's hotline service; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5)
of the measures in place to increase carers' understanding and utilization rate of the hotline services operated by NGOs?
Question 20
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Support for the taxi trade
Hon Frankie YICK to ask:
Some members of the taxi trade have indicated that since the incident of termination of insurance policies by Target Insurance Company Limited, insurance premiums for taxis have doubled. Insurance companies have even increased the amounts specified in insurance contracts to be paid by insured persons for contributing towards insurance compensation (commonly known as "insurance excess") for different reasons, such as high vehicle age and elderly drivers of taxis, leading to a surge in taxi operating costs. As a result, some taxi owners would rather leave their taxis idle due to their inability to afford high insurance premiums. Regarding the support for the taxi trade, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the respective average amounts of comprehensive insurance premiums and third party risks insurance premiums for taxis, as well as the rates of changes of such premiums, in each of the past three years;
(2)
as there are views pointing out that the Government's law enforcement efforts against insurance frauds and champerty are insufficient, and that drivers involved in traffic accidents will, regardless of whether they have been injured or not, claim to have been injured and seek medical consultation at hospitals, resulting in a continuous increase in both the number and amount of insurance claims on traffic accidents, and in turn leading to soaring insurance premiums for taxis, what measures the authorities have put in place to step up law enforcement efforts in combating insurance frauds and champerty;
(3)
what measures the authorities have put in place to facilitate the lowering of insurance premiums for taxis, so as to assist the taxi trade in reducing their operating costs on insurance; and
(4)
as there are views pointing out that taxi service is part of the public transport system and taxi fare adjustments have to be approved by the Government, it is incumbent upon the Government to ensure that taxi operators have room for survival, apart from reducing the insurance expenditure of the taxi trade, what measures the Government has put in place to prevent the operation of the taxi trade from not being able to make ends meet, including whether it will consider devising a "fare adjustment mechanism" for taxis, so as to ensure their financial viability and avoid affecting public transport services?
Question 21
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Pre-school rehabilitation services
Dr Hon NGAN Man-yu to ask:
It is learnt that pre-school rehabilitation services are crucial to the long-term growth and development of children with special needs, as well as their future integration into mainstream education. The Government is catching up with the lag in respect of this category of services, and has set a target of "zero waiting time" for pre-school rehabilitation services. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
regarding the four types of pre-school rehabilitation services (i.e. (a) on-site pre-school rehabilitation services, (b) early education and training centres, (c) integrated programmes in kindergarten-cum-child care centres and (d) special child care centres), of a breakdown of the following information by district: (i) the latest numbers of service places, (ii) the latest numbers of persons waitlisted and (iii) the latest average waiting time (months) (set out such information according to the format of the following table);
| District |
(i)/(ii)/(iii) |
| Pre-school rehabilitation services |
| (a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
| Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan |
| Kwai Chung |
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| Tsing Yi |
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| Tsuen Wan |
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| Subtotal/average waiting time: |
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| North District, Tai Po and Sha Tin |
| North District (Sheung Shui and Fanling) |
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| Sha Tin |
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| Tai Po |
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| Subtotal/average waiting time: |
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| Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai |
| Tin Shui Wai |
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| Tuen Mun |
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| Yuen Long |
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| Subtotal/average waiting time: |
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| Hong Kong and Islands |
| Central and Western District |
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| Eastern District |
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| Islands District |
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| Southern District |
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| Wan Chai |
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| Subtotal/average waiting time: |
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| East Kowloon |
| Kwun Tong |
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| Tseung Kwan O |
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| Wong Tai Sin |
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| Subtotal/average waiting time: |
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| West Kowloon |
| Kowloon City |
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| Mong Kok |
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| Sham Shui Po |
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| Yau Ma Tei |
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| Subtotal/average waiting time: |
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| Total/average waiting time of the aforesaid districts: |
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(2)
of the measures introduced in the past three years by the Government to shorten the waiting time in order to achieve the target of zero waiting time for pre-school rehabilitation services, and whether it has evaluated the effectiveness of such measures; and
(3)
whether it has considered reviewing afresh the contents and positioning of the various aforesaid pre-school rehabilitation services, including their service features, demand and quality, with a view to providing appropriate services for children with special needs and their family members?
Question 22
(For written reply)
(Translation)
Age-friendly facilities of public transport modes
Hon Tony TSE to ask:
Regarding age-friendly facilities of public transport modes, will the Government inform this Council:
(1)
of the details of the authorities' existing and future plans regarding age-friendly facilities of public transport modes;
(2)
whether it knows the measures and equipment currently provided by the MTR Corporation Limited ("MTRCL") and franchised bus companies to facilitate travel by elderly passengers, as well as the relevant measures or equipment to be introduced in the coming five years; as it is learnt that some elderly people have difficulties in standing up from the seat, whether there are corresponding ancillary facilities at the waiting areas of MTR stations and franchised bus stops;
(3)
whether it knows the criteria adopted by MTRCL and franchised bus companies for determining the number of priority seats, and whether such companies have plans to provide more priority seats according to the proportion and needs of elderly passengers during peak hours and non-peak hours; if so, of the current number of priority seats and the relevant proportion of elderly passengers; if not, the reasons for that, and whether they will consider conducting the relevant study; and
(4)
whether the Government will consider formulating the criteria for the number or proportion of priority seats on different modes of public transport for the public transport operators concerned to draw reference from or follow; if so, of the specific plan; if not, the reasons for that?