| SCMA's response to media question |
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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the answer given by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, to a media question after attending a book launching event this afternoon (February 22): Reporter: Will the Government split the constitutional development proposal into different parts to make it easier to be passed in the Legislative Council? Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I would say that, as in 2005, it is necessary for the Government to put two motions to the Legislative Council. The first motion will be about the 2012 election system for returning the Chief Executive, and that will be for amending Annex 1 to the Basic Law. The second motion will be for the formation of the Legislative Council in 2012 and for amending Annex II to the Basic Law. It is necessary for these two motions to be submitted to the Legislative Council and considered in totality, as the Government would obviously hope that political parties and Members of the Legislative Council can render us two-thirds majority for both motions to be passed by the Legislative Council. The two motions will be voted on separately. As and when we have gained passage of the two motions, thereafter in the autumn of 2010, we will put forth amendment bills to amend the Legislative Council Ordinance and the Chief Executive Election Ordinance. At that stage, it will be possible for the Government and Members of the legislature to consider specific amendments to the electoral systems one by one. And at that time, it will be possible for us to deal with the electoral arrangements in greater detail. (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) Ends/Monday, February 22, 2010 |