The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Mr Andrew Leung, today (April 17) issued the following statement through the LegCo Secretariat:
I note with deep disappointment and regret that the LegCo House Committee (HC) has once again failed to elect its Chairman at its meeting today.
Under Article 73 of the Basic Law, enacting laws is one of the LegCo's primary powers and functions. In half a year, HC has yet to elect its Chairman, rendering it unable to deal with dozens of bills and subsidiary legislation. This has severely impeded the operation of the LegCo and the proper exercise of its constitutional functions. The situation is far from satisfactory, falling short of public expectations.
I sincerely appeal to all Members to put aside their differences for the common good and work out a solution sensibly with a view to ending the present deadlock.
Hong Kong is in the midst of unprecedented challenges and economic hardship, and it is now only some three months before prorogation of the Council. All bills will lapse at the end of a LegCo term, resulting in a serious wastage of public resources. Once again, I call on all Members to act in the best interest of the whole community and dutifully fulfill their constitutional duties as LegCo Members, enabling HC and the Council as a whole to function effectively.
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