WK LO's LegCo Express (Jan 2019)
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WK Lo’s LegCo Express
Jan 2019
1. CE Q&A session at the LegCo
At the CE Q&A section on 10 Jan, I asked the CE how to solve the problem of shortage of parking space in the commercial area. As stated in the “Policy Address” 2018, only 1,500 parking spaces will be increased. I pointed out that this is not enough and not at the busy commercial area. I urged the Government to increase the number of parking spaces in the commercial area to make up for the shortfalls. Please visit the link below for my question and CE’s reply:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201901/10/P2019011000576.htm (Chinese only)
2. Amendment on the motion of “Increasing housing supply in the short to medium term to rectify the problem of public housing shortage”
On 17 Jan, I moved an amendment on the motion “Increasing housing supply in the short to medium term to rectify the problem of public housing shortage” to urge the Government to formulate an overall land development strategy; to adopt diversified planning proposals and a more pragmatic and convenient approach to increase land supply; to enhance the role of the Urban Renewal Authority as a facilitator in urban redevelopment; to develop green belt areas of relatively low ecological value for housing construction purpose; to expeditiously review and reconstruct a housing ladder to cater for the housing needs of people from different strata; to consider afresh the construction of a railway between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun; to set up a high-level inter-departmental coordination mechanism to rationalize and strengthen the coordination of the land supply duties and procedures vested in the relevant government departments. Please visit the link below for my amendment speech:
http://www.irdrwklo.hk/articlesview.asp?ClassID=2&ArticleID=489
3. Amendment on the motion of “Creating opportunities to assist small and medium enterprises and promoting upward mobility of young people”
On 24 Jan, I moved an amendment on the motion “Creating opportunities to assist small and medium enterprises and promoting upward mobility of young people” to urge the Government to establishing a professional qualification recognition mechanism for industries having the right conditions, so as to build a sustainable and upward moving ladder for the professional and career development for new generations; to allocate more resources and improve various support schemes for individual entrepreneurship; to assist the industries to negotiate with the relevant Mainland ministries to expeditiously amend the provisions of the Mainland and Hong Kong CEPA framework; to encourage investment in R&D to promote the development of innovative and creative industries; and to capitalize on the development trend of e-commerce. Please visit the link below for my amendment speech:
http://www.irdrwklo.hk/articlesview.asp?ClassID=2&ArticleID=490
4. Funding proposals approved in the Public Works Subcommittee (PWSC) and Finance Committee (FC)
On 30 Jan, the PWSC approved a funding request of $14.9 billion for 2019-20 for the block allocations under the Capital Works Reserve Fund. On 4 Jan, the FC approved an increment on the funding allocation by $1,039.8 million from $3,905.7 million to $4,945.5 million for implementing the remaining works under Phase III of the District Cooling System at the Kai Tak development.
5. Bills Committee on Fire Safety (Industrial Buildings) Bill
The main purpose of the Bill is to provide for a mechanism for fire safety improvements to be made to bring the fire safety standards of old industrial buildings up to date. The Bill is thus introduced into LegCo in order to enhance the fire safety standards of industrial buildings constructed or with building plans submitted to the Building Authority for approval on or before 1 March 1987. I joined the Bills Committee in Jan.
6. LegCo duty visit to Wang Chau
On 29 Jan, I visited the sites for Phases 2 and 3 of the public housing development at Wang Chau, Yuen Long with some LegCo members to better understand the current conditions of the sites. We first received a briefing on the progress of Wang Chau Project, then visited the sites for Phases 2 and 3 of Wang Chau Project to learn more about the existing brownfield operations. We also exchanged views with the villagers of Tseng Tau Village, Wang Chau, and brownfield operators there covering car parks, garages, open storage yards and logistics services to have a better understanding of their concerns.
7. Attended the opening ceremony for the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District
On 20 Jan, I attended the opening ceremony for the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District as a member of the WKCDA Board. The Xiqu Centre represents a world-class performance art venue and the West Kowloon new landmark, which can bring breakthroughs in the conservation, promotion and development of the Cantonese opera and the Xiqu art form.
