After three years of prolonged deliberations at the LegCo due to filibustering by some LegCo members, the funding applications for the establishment of the ITB are finally approved at the Finance Committee meeting on 6 Nov 2015. According to the resolution passed by the LegCo in June this year, the ITB can be established on 20 Nov, which is the 14th day after the day on which the Finance Committee approves the funding applications. Hong Kong has no time to waste and we cannot afford to lag behind our competitors in the race for innovations and technologies. The ITB would carry out its work soon and I will carry out my legCo duty to monitor its progress so as to bring new dynamics to the economy.

 

 

2. Elected as Chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee

The new session of the LegCo has started in October. I am pleased to be elected as Chairman of the Public Works Subcommittee in the 2015-16 session. Besides this chairmanship, I also joined the Establishment Subcommittee and seven panels namely, Housing, Development, Environmental Affairs, Transport, Commerce and Industry, Economic Development and Information Technology and Broadcasting. I am also elected Deputy Chairman of the Information Technology and Broadcasting Panel. Your comments and suggestions to enhance my work in the Council are most welcome.

 

3. CE Question &Answer Session

On 22 Oct, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying addressed to the LegCo in his “Chief Executive's Question and Answer Session”. I asked the CE the latest progress of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Project. The CE replied that the project is massive and complicated but also with huge economic and social benefits. He also pointed out that the HZMB was targeted for completion by end 2016 when it was planned, but the Government is reviewing the anticipated completion date due to the challenges during both the design and construction stages.

 

4. Elected as Chairman of the Bills Committee on Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Product Container) (Amendment) Bill 2015

The Bill seeks to amend the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance to provide for the collection of a recycling levy on the glass beverage containers, to amend the Waste Disposal Ordinance to regulate the disposal of such containers, and to provide for related matters. This topic was discussed at the Environmental Affairs panel before. Members in general supported the proposal, but some members have raised concerns regarding the implementation of the proposed scheme. I joined the Bills Committee and was elected as Chairman.  

 

5. Subcommittee on Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) (Amendment) Regulation 2015 and Building (Administration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2015

The Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations, were first enacted in 1959. The Government will amend the Regulations to enhance the standards for the provision of sanitary fitments and the requirements on the construction of the drainage system, etc. The enhanced standards for the provision of sanitary fitments will be applicable to new buildings and to existing buildings when they undergo major alteration and addition works. The Amendment Regulations was gazetted on 9 Oct and was tabled at the LegCo for negative vetting on 14 Oct. I joined the subcommittee and the first meeting was held on 27 Oct.

 

6. Bills Committee on Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Bill

The security arrangements of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) have been governed by the Port Facility Security Plan (the Plan). The Plan does not empower the Commissioner for Tourism and law enforcement agencies to act against certain misconducts at KTCT nor does it set out any penalty for such misconducts. So the Administration decided to enact a new piece of primary legislation to serve the operations and security needs of KTCT. A Bills Committee was set up to scrutinize the Bill. I joined the Bills Committee in Oct.

 

7. Subcommittee relating to the Three-runway System at the Hong Kong International Airport

On 7 Nov 2014, the Director of Environmental Protection approved the environmental impact assessment (EIA) Report and issued an environmental permit for the Three-runway System (3RS) project. The capital cost for 3RS has been revised to $84.5 billion in 2010 prices or $141.5 billion in money-of-the-day prices. At the House Committee meeting on 15 May, a Subcommittee was set up under members’ agreement. The Administration will update the subcommittee on the development of the 3RS project. I joined the subcommittee and its first meeting was held on 16 Oct.