DECEMBER 31, 2014
Photo: LegCo
December 17th Wednesday
Meeting of Public Works Subcommittee
Members first discussed the cancellation of last Friday meeting as some pan-dems were arrested during the clearance in Admiralty. Pro-establishment members criticised the decision made by the subcommittee chair, Alan Leong. Chan Kam-lam (GC- Kowloon East, DAB) said the meeting should not be cancelled even when the chair and the deputy chair were not able to attend the meeting. Chan said members can choose a temporary chair among themselves to continue the meeting. However, Kwok Ka-ki (GC- NT West, Civic Party) supported Leong’s decision. 13 pan-dem members in the subcommittee were arrested last Friday.
Members then discussed the proposal for the construction of Kowloon East Regional
Headquarters and Operational Base-cum-Ngau Tau Kok Divisional Police Station at $2,964.9m. Albert Ho (FC- DC 2nd, DP) considered the documents provided by the Administration were unclear and proposed to adjourn the discussion. Ho’s move, however, didn’t seem to be a concerted effort among pan-dems as some of them were absent while pro-establishment members were all present. The adjournment proposal was voted down by 14 to 16. Discussion underway.
Council meeting
Selected Questions
Lee Cheuk-yan (GC- NT West, Labour Party)
Q: Has the Government approached the Central People's Government to inquire whether UK, as one of the signatories to the Joint Declaration, has any role in respect of the implementation, on and after 1 July 1997, of the basic policies of China regarding Hong Kong as set out in the Joint Declaration.
Raymond Tam, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
A: China has resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. Its basic policies regarding Hong Kong has been put into effect, manifested and stipulated in the Basic Law. The provisions of the Joint Declaration have been fully implemented, and its purpose and objectives have also been fully fulfilled. As stated above, the United Kingdom has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong, and there is no such thing as "moral obligation".
Bill
Administration of Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014
To amend to improve the court operations: appeals in civil causes or matters to the Court of Final Appeal, operation of the Labour Tribunal and more.
Third reading approved.
Employment (Amendment) Bill 2014
To endorse 3-day paternity leave and compensation for male employees. BPA and Liberal Party objected to the Bill, saying it will impact small businesses which don’t have many staff. Kenneth Leung (FC- Accountancy, Professional Commons) proposed to amend the Bill to make it 7-day full paid leave. However, the administration made it clear that they will retract the Bill if any amendment is approved. Discussion underway.
December 18th Thursday
Continuation of Council meeting of 17 December 2014
Bill
Employment (Amendment) Bill 2014
To endorse 3-day paternity leave and compensation for male employees. Amendments made by pan-dems were all voted down.
Third reading approved.
Construction Workers Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014
To modify the registration scheme for modular skills in the construction industry, senior workers registration arrangement and to exempt the need to register for emergency work and small scale work.
Third reading approved.
December 19th Friday
Continuation of Council meeting of 17 December 2014
Members motions
Jeffrey Lam (FC- Commercial 1st, BPA) moved a motion to urge the Government to care about the aspirations of young people, formulate feasible policies and measures, and enhance the relevant training and support, so as to increase upward mobility opportunities for young people. Discussion underway. Next meeting will be on 7th January, 2015.
Meeting of House Committee
1. Subcommittees are formed to study subsidiary legislations that have already taken effect, such as making refuse collection vehicles driven into a specified landfill or refuse transfer station to be equipped with a metal tailgate cover, specifying South East New Territories Landfill (Tseung Kwan O) to be receiving construction waste only.
2. Report of the Delegation of the Panel on Environmental Affairs on its duty visit to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden to study these countries' experience on thermal waste treatment facilities. Members will discuss whether to have a debate motion on the report.
Meeting of Finance Committee
Discussion continued on the construction proposal for the reclamation of about 16 hectares to form an artificial island near Shek Kwu Chau and to build an incinerator on it. The project will cost around $18.2 billion. Pan-dem lawmakers proposed 238 amendments to stall the construction proposal and by the end of the meeting, around 60 amendments were pending to vote.
http://harbourtimes.com/openpublish/legco-round-up-20141231
