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

     Following is the opening remarks by the Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee, Mr Chan Kin-por, at the end-of-session press conference at the LegCo Complex today (July 18):

     During the 2017-2018 legislative session, the Finance Committee has held 54 meetings spanning about 184 hours. The Committee has deliberated and approved 98 financial proposals involving a total commitment of $251.4 billion, a record high since the 2012-2013 session. The approved proposals include:

(a) public works projects such as Central Kowloon Route Main Works costing $42.3 billion and (development and) redevelopment of five hospitals costing $29.6 billion;

(b) non-works proposals such as a commitment of $30.3 billion for promoting innovation and technology in Hong Kong and a provision of about $10.3 billion for six universities to build student hostels; and

(c) establishment proposals to create 68 directorate posts.

     I notice that there is obvious improvement in efficiency in the Finance Committee. On average, the Committee spent a shorter time on an item this year, which is 1.4 hours per item versus four hours last year. This is mainly attributed to the amendments made to the Rules of Procedure and the Finance Committee Procedure in the year, achieving a saving of 26.5 hours. It is also worth mentioning that the Government and Members have adopted a pragmatic approach to the Committee's work.

     On the other hand, the proportion of proposals already discussed and endorsed by the two Subcommittees (i.e. the Establishment Subcommittee and the Public Works Subcommittee) taken out for separate discussion in the Finance Committee is still high; 50 per cent of Public Works items endorsed were taken out versus 89 per cent last year, while 75 per cent of Establishment items were taken out versus 79 per cent last year. On this, I have to say that we need to avoid repetitive discussions and dwelling on wide policy issues.

     In face of the Committee's heavy workload and the aspirations of Members to perform their gate-keeping role, I have strived to ensure smooth and orderly conduct of meetings and made conscientious efforts to facilitate communications among different political parties outside meetings. Looking ahead, I would like to call on both Members and government officials to get well prepared before meetings and maintain close communications outside meetings, so as to enable the Committee to perform its functions effectively and efficiently.

     Lastly, I am most grateful to the Deputy Chairman, Members and the Secretariat staff for their support over the past year.

          Police today (July 18) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Sha Tin.
      
          Yuen Ka-mei, aged 38, went missing after she was last seen in a shopping mall on Sha Tin Station Circuit yesterday afternoon (July 17). Her family made a report to Police on the same day.
        
          She is about 1.58 metres tall, 63 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with leaf pattern, yellow trousers and white shoes.
        
          Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9860 7892, or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any Police station.
     

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) made the following announcement today (July 18):

     A newborn baby girl (aged 14 days) was admitted to PYNEH yesterday (July 17) with chickenpox. Upon case surveillance, the mother of the newborn was suspected to have developed related symptoms during her delivery period in the hospital earlier in July. PYNEH immediately started contact tracing of patients in accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines. A total of 25 patients (including nine mothers and 16 neonates) who had contact with the baby's mother were identified as having the potential risk of infection. PYNEH will contact the patients concerned to understand their health conditions and to provide appropriate follow up where necessary.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up. PYNEH will continue to monitor the situation.

     The Information Services Department (ISD) is taking part in this year's Hong Kong Book Fair from today (July 18) to July 24 under the theme "Discover and Share the Joy of Reading".
 
     Around 70 government titles are on sale at the fair, with 35 being sold at a 25 per cent discount including the newly published yearbook "Hong Kong 2017".
 
     A number of specially priced books are also on sale this year including the "Hong Kong Culture Snapshot" series (Chinese version only) and "The Temple Gardens of Hong Kong", with discounts ranging from 60 to 85 per cent.
 
     Customers buying publications at the ISD booth may pay in cash or with Octopus card, and will receive a souvenir in return.
 
     To help save the environment, plastic bags will not be handed out at the booth. Purchasers are asked to bring their own carry bag.
 
     The ISD booth is located at Stall A38 in Hall 1B of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     Police today (July 18) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tai Po.

     Wong Hong-chin, aged 29, went missing after he was last seen in MTR Tai Wo Station on July 13 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on July 16.

     He is about 1.8 metres tall, 90 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion, short straight black hair. He was last seen wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, short light blue jeans, and brown sandals.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9860 7892 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.