LegCo Paper No. CB 269/95-96

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MINUTES
No. 10 of 1995/96

Minutes of the sitting held on Wednesday 6 December 1995 at 2.30 p.m.


Present:

    President : The Honourable Andrew WONG Wang-fat, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Allen LEE Peng-fei, C.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Mrs. Selina CHOW LIANG Shuk-yee, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Martin LEE Chu-ming, Q.C., J.P.
    Dr. the Honourable David LI Kwok-po, O.B.E., LL.D.(Cantab), J.P.
    The Honourable SZETO Wah
    The Honourable Edward HO Sing-tin, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Ronald Joseph ARCULLI, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Mrs. Miriam LAU Kin-yee, O.B.E., J.P.
    Dr. the Honourable Edward LEONG Che-hung, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable Albert CHAN Wai-yip
    The Honourable CHEUNG Man-kwong
    The Honourable CHIM Pui-chung
    The Honourable Frederick FUNG Kin-kee
    The Honourable Michael HO Mun-ka
    Dr. the Honourable HUANG Chen-ya, M.B.E.
    The Honourable Emily LAU Wai-hing
    The Honourable LEE Wing-tat
    The Honourable Eric LI Ka-cheung, J.P.
    The Honourable Fred LI Wah-ming
    The Honourable Henry TANG Ying-yen, J.P.
    The Honourable James TO Kun-sun
    Dr. the Honourable Samuel WONG Ping-wai, M.B.E., F.Eng., J.P.
    Dr. the Honourable Philip WONG Yu-hong
    Dr. the Honourable YEUNG Sum
    The Honourable Howard YOUNG, J.P.
    The Honourable Zachary WONG Wai-yin
    The Honourable Christine LOH Kung-wai
    The Honourable James TIEN Pei-chun, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable LEE Cheuk-yan
    The Honourable CHAN Kam-lam
    The Honourable CHAN Wing-chan
    The Honourable CHAN Yuen-han
    The Honourable Andrew CHENG Kar-foo
    The Honourable Paul CHENG Ming-fun
    The Honourable CHENG Yiu-tong
    The Honourable Anthony CHEUNG Bing-leung
    The Honourable CHEUNG Hon-chung
    The Honourable CHOY Kan-pui, J.P.
    The Honourable David CHU Yu-lin
    The Honourable Albert HO Chun-yan
    The Honourable IP Kwok-him
    The Honourable LAU Chin-shek
    The Honourable Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen, J.P.
    Dr. the Honourable LAW Cheung-kwok
    The Honourable LAW Chi-kwong
    The Honourable LEE Kai-ming
    The Honourable LEUNG Yiu-chung
    The Honourable Bruce LIU Sing-lee
    The Honourable MOK Ying-fan
    The Honourable Margaret NG
    The Honourable NGAN Kam-chuen
    The Honourable SIN Chung-kai
    The Honourable TSANG Kin-shing
    Dr. the Honourable John TSE Wing-ling
    The Honourable Mrs. Elizabeth WONG CHIEN Chi-lien, C.B.E., I.S.O., J.P.
    The Honourable Lawrence YUM Sin-ling

Absent:

    The Honourable NGAI Shiu-kit, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable LAU Wong-fat, O.B.E., J.P.
    The Honourable LO Suk-ching

In attendance:

The Honourable Mrs. Anson CHAN, C.B.E., J.P.
The Chief Secretary
The Honourable Donald TSANG Yam-kuen, O.B.E., J.P.
The Financial Secretary
The Honourable Jeremy Fell MATHEWS, C.M.G., J.P.
The Attorney General
Mr. CHAU Tak-hay, C.B.E., J.P.
Secretary for Recreation and Culture
Mr. Haider Hatim Tyebjee BARMA, I.S.O., J.P.
Secretary for Transport
Mr. Gordon SIU Kwing-chue, J.P.
Secretary for Economic Services
Mrs. Katherine FOK LO Shiu-ching, O.B.E., J.P.
Secretary for Health and Welfare
Mr. Rafael HUI Si-yan, J.P.
>Secretary for Financial Services
Mr. Joseph WONG Wing-ping, J.P.
Secretary for Education and Manpower
Mr. Peter LAI Hing-ling, J.P.
Secretary for Security
Mr. Canice MAK Chun-fong, J.P.
Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands

Clerks to the Legislative Council:

    Mr. LAW Kam-sang, Deputy Secretary General
    Miss Pauline NG Man-wah, Assistant Secretary General (1)
    Mr. Ray CHAN Yum-mou, Assistant Secretary General (2)



PAPERS

The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Standing Order 14(2) :

Subsidiary Legislation

L.N. NO.

1. Civil Aviation (Aircraft Noise) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule) Notice 1995

539/95

2. Airport Authority Ordinance (71 of 1995) (Commencement) Notice 1995

540/95

3. Import (Radiation) (Prohibition) (Amendment) Regulation 1995

541/95

4. Import and Export (General) (Amendment) Regulation 1995

542/95

5. Import and Export (Fees) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 1995

543/95

6. Import and Export (Registration) (Amendment) Regulation 1995

544/95

7. Ferry Services (Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company, Limited) (Determination of Fares) (Amendment) Order 1995

545/95

8. Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading (Calls) (Amendment) Rules 1995

555/95

9. Tax Reserve Certificates (Fourth Series) (Amendment) Rules 1995

556/95

10. Tax Reserve Certificates (Rate of Interest) Notice 1995

557/95

11. Prisoners' Education Trust Fund Ordinance (19 of 1995) (Commencement) Notice 1995

558/95

12. Official Languages (Amendment) Ordinance 1995 (51 of 1995) (Commencement) (No.2) Notice 1995

559/95

13. Tax Reserve Certificates (Amendment) Ordinance 1995 (99 of 1995) (Commencement) Notice 1995

560/95

14. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited Ordinance) Order

(C) 115/95

15. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Tramway Ordinance) Order

(C) 116/95

16. Official Languages (Authentic Chinese Text) (Peak Tramway Ordinance) Order

(C) 117/95

Sessional Papers 1995/96

No. 28

-

Regional Council Hong Kong Accounts for the year ended 31 March 1995 with Report and Certificate of the Director of Audit

No. 29

-

Regional Council Annual Report 1994-95

No. 30

-

Revised List of Works annexed to the Regional Council's Revised Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 1995/96

No. 31

-

Revisions of the 1994/95 Estimates approved by the Urban Council during the First Quarter of the 1995/96 Financial Year

No. 32

-

Revisions of the 1995/96 Estimates approved by the Urban Council during the Second Quarter of the 1995/96 Financial Year

No. 33

-

The Sir Murray MacLehose Trust Fund Trustee's Report for the period 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995

No. 34

-

Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Report of the Board of Trustees for the period 1st April 1994 to 31st March 1995

No. 35

-

Report by the Trustee of the Police Children's Education Trust, Police Education and Welfare Trust for the period 1 April 1994 - 31 March 1995

No. 36

-

Vocational Training Council Annual Report 1994/95

QUESTIONS

1. Mr. Henry TANG asked Question 1.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Two Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Since Miss CHAN Yuen-han and the Secretary for Transport were not present in the Chamber, Questions No.2 and No.3 would be postponed later.

2. Mrs. Selina CHOW asked Question 4.

The Secretary for Security replied.

Four Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Security replied.

3. Mrs. Miriam LAU asked Question 5.

The Secretary for Security replied.

One Member asked a supplementary and the Secretary for Security replied.

4. Miss Emily LAU asked Question 6.

The Secretary for Security replied.

Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Security replied.

5. Miss CHAN Yuen-han asked Question 2.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands replied.

Four Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands and the Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

6. Mr. Edward HO asked Question 3.

The Secretary for Transport replied.

Five Members asked supplementaries and the Secretary for Transport replied.

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

BILLS

FIRST READING

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

NOISE CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1995

The bills were read the first time and ordered to be set down for second reading pursuant to Standing Order 41(3).

SECOND READING

CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

The Attorney General moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

NOISE CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

At 3:56 p.m., a Member drew the attention of the President to the absence of a quorum. The President directed that the Council be suspended and Members be summoned. A quorum was then present.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands continued to address the Council.

ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1995

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands moved the second reading and addressed the Council.

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1995

Resumption of debate on second reading which was moved on 2 November 1995.

Question on second reading proposed.

Three Members spoke on the motion and the Secretary for Education and Manpower replied.

Question on second reading put and agreed to.

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

LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

Resumption of debate on second reading which was moved on 15 November 1995.

Question on second reading proposed, put and agreed to.

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

COMMITTEE STAGE

The Council went into Committee and considered the following bills:

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1995

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

Question on clauses 1 to 8, 10, 11 and 14 to 30 put and agreed to.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved amendments to clauses 9, 12 and 13 and addressed the Committee.

Question on the amendments proposed, put and agreed to.

Question that clauses 9, 12 and 13, as amended, stand part of the bill put and agreed to.

New clauses 24A and 24B read the first time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the second reading of new clauses 24A and 24B. Question on the second reading of new clauses 24A and 24B proposed, put and agreed to.

New clauses 24A and 24B read the second time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the addition of new clauses 24A and 24B to the bill. Question on the addition proposed, put and agreed to.

New schedules 1 and 2 read the first time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the second reading of new schedules 1 and 2. Question on the second reading of new schedules 1 and 2 proposed, put and agreed to.

New schedules 1 and 2 read the second time.

The Secretary for Education and Manpower moved the addition of new schedules 1 and 2 to the bill. Question on the addition proposed, put and agreed to.

LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

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

Question on clauses 1 to 10 put and agreed to.

The Council then resumed.

THIRD READING

The Secretary for Education and Manpower reported that the

EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1995

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

Question on the third reading proposed, put and agreed to.

Bill read the third time and passed.

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands reported that the

LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1995

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

Question on the third reading proposed, put and agreed to.

Bill read the third time and passed.

PRIVATE MEMBER'S MOTION

YOUTH SUICIDE

Mr. CHEUNG Hon-chung moved the following motion and addressed the Council:

That in view of the upward trend in the number of youth suicides and the drop in the age of young people attempting suicide in recent years, this Council urges the Government to take positive and effective measures, including reviewing the existing relevant policies and youth services and conducting a comprehensive and forward-looking study so as to prevent and resolve the problem of youth suicide.

Question on the motion proposed.

Nine Members spoke on the motion.

At 5:31 p.m., the President's Deputy took the chair during the temporary absence of the President.

A Member drew the attention of the President's Deputy to the absence of a quorum. The President's Deputy directed that the Council be suspended and Members be summoned. A quorum was then present.

Another seven Members and the Secretary for Health and Welfare spoke on the motion.

At 6:13 p.m., the President resumed the chair.

Mr. CHEUNG Hon-chung replied.

Question on the motion put and agreed to.

NEXT SITTING

In accordance with Standing Orders, the President adjourned the Council until Wednesday, 13 December 1995.

Adjourned accordingly at twenty-seven mintes to seven o’clock.


Last Updated on 29 July 1999