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

     Members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) held separate meetings today (June 8) with members of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council (DC) and the Islands DC respectively at the LegCo Complex to discuss and exchange views on matters of mutual interest.
 
     During the meeting with the Yau Tsim Mong DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on the noise nuisance and obstruction problems at the Mong Kok Pedestrian Precinct; problems arising from unauthorized sub-division of flat units in buildings and measures to tackle the problems; impact of the implementation of the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance  (Cap. 572) on owners of old buildings in Yau Tsim Mong District; consultation on licensing of guesthouses; and consultation on the review of the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344). The meeting was convened by Mr Charles Mok and attended by Mr Yiu Si-wing, Dr Helena Wong, Dr Chiang Lai-wan, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Ho Kai-ming, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, Dr Pierre Chan, Mr Lau Kwok-fan and Mr Vincent Cheng.
 
     As for the meeting with the Islands DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on the community problems arising from population increase on Lantau Island; inadequacies in the overall traffic network planning on Lantau Island; following up on the pledge to enhance the speed of the fixed network broadband services on Lamma Island; issues relating to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344); and request for the expansion of Cheung Chau Ferry Pier and the installation of an elevator system in Cheung Kwai Estate. The meeting was convened by Mr Leung Che-cheung and attended by Mr Jeffrey Lam, Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming, Mr Yiu Si-wing, Ms Alice Mak, Dr Lo Wai-kwok, Mr Chu Hoi-dick, Dr Junius Ho, Mr Holden Chow, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Mr Lau Kwok-fan.

            

     Correctional officers at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre today (June 8) intercepted a male remand person in custody smuggling suspected dangerous drugs into the centre by concealing them inside his body.

     The 49-year-old remand person in custody was remanded in the institution for the offence of possession of dangerous drugs on June 5. After undergoing X-ray body scanning, he was suspected to have swallowed suspected dangerous drugs before admission and was therefore separated and put under close monitoring.

     By 3.46pm today, he had discharged five pellets of suspected dangerous drugs wrapped in plastic sheet. The case has been reported to the Police for follow-up.

     A spokesperson for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department takes every measure to stop the introduction of dangerous drugs or unauthorised articles into correctional institutions in order to maintain good order and discipline and a drug-free environment for all persons in its custody."

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session after the Housing Authority's annual special open meeting today (June 8):

Reporter: Is there any timeline as to how the pricing of subsidised housing will be reviewed? Is there any timetable and proposal for that?

Secretary for Transport and Housing: We are in the process of reviewing the sales price of subsidised sales flats. As soon as we come to a decision, we will promptly inform the public.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 20 open meetings, two public hearings and a closed meeting during the week from June 11 to 15 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 Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (June 8) reviewed the passing-out parade of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) at the Staff Training Institute in Stanley, with 38 Officers and 59 Assistant Officers II graduating.

     At the parade, the correctional officers marched past the reviewing officer with a collective spirit of high morale, demonstrating self-confidence, team spirit and enthusiasm as correctional officers.

     The newly recruited Officers and Assistant Officers II have undergone 26 and 23 weeks' training respectively. Two Officers were awarded the Principal's Shield while two Assistant Officers II were awarded the Golden Whistle for outstanding performance.

     Three graduates spoke to the media after the parade. Among them was Officer Mr Siu Cheong-hung, who has captained the Hong Kong Volleyball Representative Team. He said he would use his persevering spirit as an athlete to encourage persons in custody to face challenges.

     Officer Ms Tong Lai-sho, who was previously an Assistant Officer II and has become an Officer through an open recruitment exercise, said she hoped to work hard for the department's mission of helping Hong Kong to remain one of the safest cities in the world.

     Assistant Officer II Ms Lam Hoi-ting, who has completed an elderly care course, said appropriate skills and patience are required in communicating with persons in custody and she would apply her skills to encourage and assist them to return to the correct path.