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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings and a closed meeting during the week from July 9 to 13 in the LegCo Complex. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.

     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.

     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo website.

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

     The 2018 internship programme organised by the Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat for local tertiary students concluded today (July 6).

     A total of 23 students participated in this year's programme. The Secretary General of the Secretariat, Mr Kenneth Chen, presented the certificate of participation to the students in the closing ceremony. Mr Chen said, "The internship programme provides students with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the work of LegCo. I hope they can learn from the professionalism demonstrated by the Secretariat staff and leave with fond memories. Meanwhile, the Secretariat will continue to strive for excellence and offer a more rewarding internship experience to tertiary students next year."

     Student representatives also shared their experiences gained. One of the students said, "Through the interactions with Members, I could appreciate the manner of 'harmony in diversity' among Members. They may have heated debates, but always make voting decisions for the best interest of society."

     Meanwhile, eight Legislative Council Members who participated in the "Meeting with Members" sessions of the internship programme also attended the reception of the closing ceremony to exchange views with the students and to know more about the inspirations students have gained from the internship. Members who attended the reception included Mr Wu Chi-wai, Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Mr Kenneth Leung, Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Dr Elizabeth Quat, Mr Alvin Yeung, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting and Mr Tony Tse. 

     During the six-week internship programme, which started from May 28, students were attached to various divisions of the Secretariat and they were arranged to meet with the President, 17 Members, and heads of divisions of the Secretariat. Furthermore, students gained understanding of the work of LegCo through observing meetings of LegCo and its committees, the Chief Executive's Question Time, as well as participating in a training workshop introducing the work of LegCo and a role-play on law-making process.

     First launched by the Secretariat in 2013, the internship programme is held annually during the summer vacation of students.

      

     In response to media enquiries on the treatment of the premium payment placed with an annuity scheme, and the payout under the scheme in the financial test of the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) gave the following reply today (July 6):
 
     The one-off lump-sum premium payment placed with an annuity scheme will not be counted as an asset under the OALA (including Normal OALA and Higher OALA), while the payout provided under the annuity scheme will be counted as monthly income.
      
     If an applicant is married, he/she should declare the income and assets of the couple even if his/her spouse has not yet reached the age of 65. The SWD will assess whether the applicant meets the relevant income and asset requirements with reference to the prescribed limits for married couples. Whether both parties of the couple or just one party participate(s) in an annuity scheme, the above arrangements will apply. For details of the monthly income and asset limits of the OALA, please visit the SWD's website www.swd.gov.hk/oala.
      
     When an applicant surrenders or partially surrenders an annuity scheme, the surrender value (if any) will be treated as an asset. Under such circumstances, he/she should immediately report the changes to the SWD. If the total asset value of the elderly person exceeds the prescribed limits, he/she will not be eligible for the OALA.
      
     The above treatment is also applicable to applicants aged 65 to 69 of the Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme.
      
     It is a matter of personal decision whether elderly persons participate in any annuity scheme. Elderly persons should make an honest declaration of their income and assets. Otherwise, all payments granted on the basis of incorrect declarations will be taken as overpayment and would be duly recovered by the SWD.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH) made the following announcement today (July 6):
 
     Five patients (aged from 24 to 50) and one staff member of a male ward of Learning Disabilities presented with symptoms of acute conjunctivitis since June 30. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and the results for four patients were positive for Adenovirus. The patients are being treated and observed under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

      Correctional officers today (July 6) stopped a person in custody assaulting another person in custody at Tong Fuk Correctional Institution.

     At 11.22am, a 42-year-old male person in custody suddenly attacked a 36-year-old male person in custody with his hand inside a workshop. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailant and called for reinforcement.

     The victim sustained an injury to his face while the assailant sustained a minor injury to his hand. After examination and treatment provided by the medical officer at the institution hospital, the victim was referred to a public hospital for further treatment. The assailant did not need to be sent to a hospital.    

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

     The assailant was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of remaining in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration after having landed unlawfully.