If you cannot view this mail please click here Ir Dr Hon LO Wai Kwok (Functional Constituency - Engineering) 立法會盧偉國議員〈功能界別 ─ 工程界〉
| December 2012
| I. Highlights |
(Inauguration Ceremony of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong on Dec 18, 2012) 1. Amendment on the motion of Free TV licences applications I moved an amendment to the motion “Domestic Free Television Programme Service Licence Applications” on 28 November and urged the Government to undertake to issue additional Free TV licences before the end of March next year. I commented that the Government's slow progress of vetting the licences applications has caused various speculations in society. In order to give the local Free Television industry a business environment for fair competition and sustainable development, the Government has the responsibility to formulate long-term development strategies and set a reasonable time limit for the application result. I am glad that the amendment was supported by majority members and passed in the LegCo.
2. Elected Deputy Chairman of the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways
I was elected Deputy Chairman of the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways with its main aim to follow up various issues relating the planning and implementation of new railway projects, the operation of existing railways such as environmental impact assessment of new railway projects, provision of supporting public infrastructure for new railway projects, and revision of the fare adjustment mechanism, etc. Should you have any views regarding relevant issues, welcome to contact me at any time.
3. Amendment on the motion of perfecting housing policy
A motion debate on “Perfecting Housing Policy and Resolving Public Housing Need” was held at the LegCo meeting of 7 November to urge the Government to expeditiously put forward effective measures to address people's housing needs. I moved an amendment to push the Government to closely monitor the impacts of the economic environment and external factors, as well as the impacts of the two stamp duty measures introduced earlier on employment, the market situation and the supply of housing, and to adjust the strength of its efforts in suppressing the property market so as to avoid repeating the past mistake of the policy of “85000 units”. I stressed in my speech that to address people’s housing needs, the fundamental solution is to have well land supply planning and speed up land converting for construction of private flats and public housing.
I also joined the subcommittee on the Long Term Housing Strategy to study all relevant housing-related information and ways to increase housing supply to meet the needs of various groups in the community.
4. Urged the Government to explore business opportunities in ASEAN
At a meeting of the LegCo Panel on Commerce and Industry, I raised questions regarding the proposed accession of Hong Kong joining the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA). I asked when we could expect to see the application result, and if there be any possibility of setting up industrial parks for Hong Kong investors in these attractive emerging markets. Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development responded that the Government has been lobbying ASEAN members at different levels to explain the potential benefits of Hong Kong’s joining CAFTA and got supports from the Central Authority as well, and will take it as a top urgent matter and lobby for ASEAN’s support for Hong Kong’s accession. The Government has received requests from local investors of assisting companies to set up or expand their business in these areas, and will organize delegations with potential investors to explore and tap the emerging markets in ASEAN the next year.
5. Concerning the issues of noise barriers’ design and rock cavern development
At the LegCo meeting on 21 Nov, I raised a follow-up question regarding negative visional impact of noise barriers at vehicular flyovers and expressways. A major consideration in the design of a noise barrier is its visual impact on the surrounding area, and this is also one of the reasons that people object the barrier design with a negative visual effect. I asked if the Government has any improvements to the design so as to balance the need between lowering the noise level and preserving aesthetic views and scenic vistas, to the extent possible. Secretary for the Environment responded that the authorities have sought advice from both professionals and district councils and also tried the best to achieve balance between design and function.
In reply to the LegCo question of “Reclamation outside Victoria Harbour”, the Secretary for Development mentioned that rock cavern development would be one of the land supply approaches besides reclamation. He hopes to publish the Stage 1 Public Engagement (PE) report and propose several possible sites worthy for further consideration for reclamation and rock cavern development in the first quarter of next year. I urged the authority to formulate standards on sites selection in order to gain community support.
6. Interim review on the Scheme of Control Agreements
At a meeting of LegCo Panel on Economic Development, the issue of interim review on the Scheme of Control Agreements with the two power companies was discussed. I expressed my concern about the long term availability of natural gas. I urged the Government to have a long-term power policy for providing reliable, safe and efficient power supply at reasonable prices. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development responded that the West East Natural Gas Transmission Project will be one of the major sources of natural gas supply, and the supply agreement would be signed by end of the year.
7. Sustainable eco-tourism
The issue of “sustainable eco-tourism” was discussed at the meeting of Panel on Environmental Affairs on 26 November. I expressed my concern on the barrier-free arrangement in the country parks and asked if there are wheelchair accessible trails dedicated to the disabled. The authority said certain arrangements have been provided for the wheelchair users and it strived to create a barrier-free environment in country parks, e.g. wheelchair friendly trails in Hong Kong Wetland Park. I also raised my concern on the spreading of the plant Mikania Micrantha Kunth (薇甘菊), with another name Mile-A-Minute Weed in country parks and the slow progress of removing them. The administration responded that it is difficult to remove this plant by using pesticide as it is with similar attributes as other plants, so it can only be destroyed by hand. Despite that, the Government still got certain targets to scale down the problem. | II. Articles Published | | With warmest season's greetings! Ir Dr Hon WK Lo, BBS, MH, JP BSc(Eng) MSc(Eng) MBA EngD CEng FHKIE FIET FIMechE RPE
Member of Legislative Council (Functional Constituency - Engineering)
Dec 20, 2012 | Previous Issues of WK LO's LegCo Express | | Ir Dr the Hon LO Wai Kwok, BBS, JP 盧偉國議員 博士 工程師, BBS, JP Room 709, 7/F, Legislative Council Complex, 1 Legislative Council Road, Central, Hong Kong 香港中區立法會道1號 立法會綜合大樓7樓709室 Tel 電話 : 2539 0610 | Fax 傳真 : 2539 0621 | Email 電郵 : wklo@engineer.com | |