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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (December 12) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.  During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on the Report of the joint-Panel delegation of the Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Financial Affairs, Panel on Commerce and Industry, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting on its duty visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     The motion, moved by Mr Jeffrey Lam, states: “That this Council notes the Report of the joint-Panel delegation of the Panel on Economic Development, Panel on Financial Affairs, Panel on Commerce and Industry, and Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting on its duty visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from April 20 to 22, 2018.”

     Ms Starry Lee will move a motion under Rule 49E(2) of the Rules of Procedure.  The motion states: “That this Council takes note of Report No. 7/18-19 of the House Committee laid on the Table of the Council on December 12, 2018 in relation to the Peak Tramway (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 2018, the Peak Tramway Ordinance (Amendment of Section 3(3)) Notice 2018 and the Financial Institutions (Resolution) (Loss-absorbing Capacity Requirements—Banking Sector) Rules.”

     Meanwhile, Dr Pierre Chan will move a motion on requesting the Government to set up crisis support centres for sexual violence victims and abused children in public hospitals.  The motion states: “That given the rising trend in the number of cases of sexual violence and child abuse in Hong Kong in recent years, this Council urges the Government to allocate additional resources to the Hospital Authority for, in accordance with the Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence issued by the World Health Organization, setting up a crisis support centre in public hospitals respectively in the New Territories, on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon to provide sexual violence victims and abused children (victims) with 24-hour one-stop services; details of recommendations are as follows:

(1) designating a suitable place with high privacy protection for setting up a 24-hour one-stop crisis support centre in three public hospitals, thereby allowing victims to receive treatment and follow-up services and undergo necessary procedures, including medical treatment, forensic examinations, reporting to the Police, statement taking (with the provision of facilities for the Police to take statements from victims by way of video-recorded interview), receiving support and counselling from social workers, in the same place;

(2) properly maintaining overall statistics on victims receiving diagnosis and treatment or undergoing examinations, giving statements to the Police and undergoing forensic examinations in public hospitals;

(3) instructing the Social Welfare Department to review the existing procedural guide for regulating the handling of child abuse cases while clarifying its coordination role to foster cooperation with the Police, health care personnel and other departments, in order to provide abused children with timely assistance and follow-up;

(4) providing frontline personnel (including police officers and social workers) with professional and specialised training to enhance their sensitivity and skills in handling cases of sexual violence and child abuse involving different genders, backgrounds, cultures and sexual orientations; and

(5) formulating uniform standards of interpretation and translation services for languages of various ethnic minorities and providing training for interpreters to ensure that they render interpretation and translation services to ethnic minorities victims in a professional and impartial manner.”

     Ms Alice Mak, Mr Shiu Ka-chun and Dr Fernando Cheung will move separate amendments to Dr Pierre Chan’s motion.

     Mr Martin Liao will move a motion on fully transforming into a green and low-carbon smart society and economy, and proactively alleviating and coping with global climate change. The motion states: “That given the worsening problem of global climate change and the imminent crisis, this Council urges the SAR Government to cope with climate change more proactively, lead various social sectors and all people to fully transform Hong Kong into a green and low-carbon smart society and economy, and review at an appropriate time and enhance as appropriate Hong Kong’s capabilities to withstand extreme weather and adapt to climate change, with a view to making every endeavour to help alleviate this crisis faced by all mankind, providing Hong Kong people with due protection of their lives and properties, and promoting the sustainable development of the society and economy.”

     Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Hui Chi-fung, Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Mr Charles Mok, Mr Gary Fan, Mr Chu Hoi-dick, Dr Elizabeth Quat, Dr Kwok Ka-ki and Mr Kenneth Leuing will move separate amendments to Mr Martin Liao’s motion.

     In addition, Dr Kwok Ka-ki will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Antiquities and Monuments (Declaration of Monuments and Historical Buildings) (Consolidation) (Amendment) Notice 2018 laid on the table of the Council on November 21, 2018 to the meeting of January 9, 2019.

     Ms Starry Lee will move two proposed resolutions. The first proposed resolution, moved under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance, is to extend the period for amending the Road Tunnels (Government) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 2018, the Tsing Ma Control Area (Tolls, Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation 2018 and the Tsing Sha Control Area (Tolls, Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulation 2018 laid on the table of the Council on December 5, 2018 to the meeting of January 23, 2019.  The second proposed resolution, moved under section 3(5) of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, is to extend the period for repealing the Fugitive Offenders (France) Order laid on the table of the Council on December 5, 2018 to the meeting of January 23, 2019.

     On Government Bills, the Inland Revenue and MPF Schemes Legislation (Tax Deductions for Annuity Premiums and MPF Voluntary Contributions) (Amendment) Bill 2018, the Inland Revenue (Profits Tax Exemption for Funds) (Amendment) Bill 2018, the Fire Safety (Industrial Buildings) Bill and the Discrimination Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2018 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading.  The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.

     During the meeting, the Chief Secretary for Administration will present “The Government Minute in response to The Annual Report of The Ombudsman 2018” and address the Council on the Government Minute.

     Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk).  Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo Website.

     Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex.  They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (December 10) investigating a case of severe enterovirus (EV) 71 infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     A 2-year-old boy with underlying illness has presented with fever, cough and rash since November 30. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on December 2 and 4, and was admitted to PMH for treatment on December 4. He developed drowsiness on December 7. 
 
     Upon laboratory testing, his throat swab specimen tested positive for EV71. The clinical diagnosis was EV71 infection complicated with meningoencephalitis. The patient is now in a stable condition.

     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period and his home contacts have remained asymptomatic.
 
     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations also revealed that there is a hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) outbreak in the school, New Territories Women & Juveniles Welfare Association Limited Cheung Fat Estate Nursery School in Tsing Yi, where the patient attended. Apart from the patient, a 2-year-old girl has developed HFMD symptoms since November 29. She sought medical attention and no hospitalisation was required. She is now in a stable condition.
 
     Officers of the CHP have conducted site visits to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. As a precautionary measure, the school was advised to suspend all classes. The school has been put under medical surveillance.

     The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.

     As of December 9, the CHP recorded a total of 63 cases of EV71 infection in 2018, as compared with 36 to 56 cases recorded during the corresponding period from 2015 to 2017. In addition, zero to four cases of EV71 infection were recorded per week in 2018 but the number of cases increased to five to six in the past two weeks.
 
     “EV71 is one of the causative agents for HFMD. The infection is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. Good personal and environmental hygiene are the most important measures to prevent EV71 infection,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     “HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet,” the spokesman said.
 
     “The local HFMD activity is currently at a high level. The usual peak season for HFMD and EV71 infection is from May to July. A smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact,” the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:

* Maintain good air circulation;
* Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
* Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
* Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
* Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
* Children with EV71 infection are advised to refrain from going to schools or group activities such as parties, interest classes and swimming until two weeks after fever has subsided and all the vesicular lesions have dried and crusted to prevent the spread of disease;
* Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
* Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP’s page on HFMD and EV71 infection for more information. read more

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (December 10) said that a kind of prepackaged date has been found to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, that was not declared on the product’s food label, in breach of the food labelling regulations. Follow-up is in progress.

     Product details are as follows:

Product: Dates
Brand: Not available in English
Manufacturer: Not available in English
Net content: 1 catty/604 grams
Best-before date: December 28, 2019

     “The CFS took the above-mentioned sample from a shop in Sham Shui Po for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained sulphur dioxide which was undeclared on its food label. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batch of the product. Should there be sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted. The CFS is also tracing the source of the affected product,” a CFS spokesman said.

     The spokesman pointed out that although the level of sulphur dioxide contained (230 parts per million) in the above-mentioned sample is within the legal limit, susceptible individuals who are allergic to sulphur dioxide may experience breathing difficulties, headache and nausea if they consume this kind of food.

     The spokesman urged the trade to observe the relevant laws and regulations. The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that the food ingredients of all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should be listed out in the list of ingredients. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months’ imprisonment.

     The CFS will notify the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. read more

Attention duty announcers of radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:      The inter-departmental help desks set up by Eastern District Office and Wan … read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, attended the opening ceremony of the 34th Passive and Low Energy Architecture (PLEA) Conference at the Chinese University of Hong Kong this morning (December 10). She welcomed the participation o… read more