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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (June 14) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on vigorously promoting the development of social enterprises.
The motion, to be proposed by Hon Mrs Sophie Leung, says, "That, as social enterprises can effectively achieve social objectives, including promoting community development and helping the disadvantaged, through corporate strategies and commercial operations, and they attach more importance to social values than to pursuing maximum economic benefits, this Council urges the Government to vigorously promote the development of social enterprises, with the objectives of enhancing social capabilities and establishing positive social values, by actively implementing the following measures:
(a) establishing the value and raising the public awareness of social enterprises through publicity and education programmes in schools and the community;
(b) promoting cross-sector collaboration and developing a platform for participation in different aspects and facilitating the establishment of partnership, so that various sectors can expand the scope for collaboration in a complementary and mutually beneficial environment;
(c) putting in place support services to meet the actual needs of social enterprises, including the provision of information, basic training and mentorship support, in order to enhance the social capital of the disadvantaged;
(d) eliminating administrative and policy barriers which may hinder the development of social enterprises, so as to create an environment conducive to their growth; and
(e) enhancing the training for the general public so as to teach them how to develop social enterprises;
in addition, as local and overseas experience in developing social enterprises indicates that the successful ones possess such management elements as professionalism and market sensitivity, the Government and various sectors of the community should, in developing social enterprises, break away from the confines of the pure social work sector by encouraging and embracing the participation of willing and capable talents from the business sector."
Hon Chan Yuen-han, Dr Hon Fernando Cheung, Hon Frederick Fung and Hon Albert Ho will move separate amendments to Hon Mrs Sophie Leung's motion.
Members will also debate a motion on measures to combat drink driving. The motion, to be moved by Hon Lau Kong-wah, states, "That, as many motorists are not alert to the danger of drink driving, serious traffic accidents caused by drink driving have occurred frequently in recent years, posing a serious threat to the safety of other road users, this Council urges the Government to step up publicity and education, review the deterrent effect of existing penalties for the drink driving offence, and study amending legislation to empower the Police to conduct random roadside screening breath tests on motorists, so as to strengthen its efforts in combating drink driving and enhance motorists' alertness to the danger of drink driving, thereby reducing traffic accidents caused by drink driving and safeguarding public safety."
Hon Andrew Cheng will move an amendment to Hon Lau Kong-wah's motion.
Meanwhile, Hon Sin Chung-kai will move a resolution under the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to extend the period for amending the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Exemption for Appendix I Species) Order and the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Exemption for Appendices II and III Species) Order, which were laid on the table of the Legislative Council on May 24, 2006, to the meeting of July 12, 2006.
On government motions, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move a resolution under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (General) (Amendment) Regulation 2006, which was made by the Chief Executive in Council on May 9, 2006.
The Secretary for Security will also move two resolutions under the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Israel) Order and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Poland) Order, which were made by the Chief Executive in Council on February 7, 2006.
On bills, the Supplementary Appropriation (2005-2006) Bill will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Readings. Debate on the Bill will be adjourned. Meanwhile, Members will resume Second Reading debates on the Freight Containers (Safety) (Amendment) Bill 2006 and the Securities and Futures (Amendment) Bill 2005. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the third time.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 20 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the Legislative Council InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the Legislative Council web site (http://www.legco.gov.hk).
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Legislative Council Chamber. They may reserve seats by calling 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Ends/Monday, June 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:30
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