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Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee and a written reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, in the Legislative Council today (April 13):
Question:
The Chief Executive undertook in mid-2010 to introduce the legislative proposal abolish the District Council ("DC") appointment system to the Legislative Council ("LegCo") in the autumn of the same year. However, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs subsequently indicated that issues relating to the abolition of the DC appointment system would only be dealt with after having completed enacting the local legislation for the Chief Executive Election and the Legislative Council Election in 2012. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) why the above undertaking regarding the abolition of the DC appointment system has still not yet been honoured; and the latest progress in drafting the legislative proposal, as well as the content of the preliminary proposal; and
(b) of the anticipated time for submitting the legislative proposal to LegCo; and the procedures involved and the timetable for implementing the proposal?
Reply:
President,
It is stated in the Policy Agenda of the 2010/11 Policy Address that the Administration will put forth proposals concerning the abolition of the District Council (DC) appointment system for consultation with the Legislative Council (LegCo) and the public.
After the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress approved and recorded respectively the amendments to Annexes I and II of the Basic Law in August 2010, the Administration had focused on the local legislation on the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the LegCo in 2012. On March 3 and 5, 2011, the LegCo passed the Chief Executive Election (Amendment) Bill 2010 and the Legislative Council (Amendment) Bill 2010 respectively.
The Administration will continue to address the issue of the abolition of the DC appointment system and will endeavour to put forth relevant proposals to the LegCo by mid-2011.
Ends/Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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