Pl Report For 16.05

PL Report for Exco for 16.5.06 The parliamentary group voted with the pan democrats to oppose the CE election bill in the second and third reading. We were accused of saying one thing and doing another thing, voting against improvement to small circle election and encouraging others to participate in such election and be registered as voter. The pan democrats spoke in turn to answer the allegation. Scheduled Chinese doctors – the government lobbied us not to include the scheduled Chinese doctors. However their reasoning is not really very logical. Once they agree to allow these scheduled doctors to practise, it is difficult to see why they cant issue sick leave certificates for their patients. Sister Han’s union got the scheduled doctors to turn up in force for the last bill committee meeting. So the chairman of the Bill (DAB Li Kwok Ying) spoke to me and said he would be asking the government to reconsider after hearing our views at the meeting. The government would agree to reconsider and inform us in writing of its conclusion after the meeting. This tactical arrangement was obviously agreed between DAB and government beforehand. They did not want a show down when the scheduled doctors were present. But Andrew Cheng Kar Foo did not play ball. He called for a vote at the bills committee meeting. All the pan democrats and Li Fung Ying (and I think Kwong Chi Kin) voted in favour. LP voted against inclusion of the scheduled doctors but they were outnumbered. DAB did not vote. This was not lost on the scheduled doctors who saw it all. Despite the sympathetic noises from Li Kwok Ying for DAB, they failed at the crunch. In fact when I came out of the meeting, these Chinese doctors told me that they would be attending the 7.1 march with their banner. This means that Li Kwok Ying as the bills chairman will have to move the amendment on behalf of the bills committee which will be drafted and prepared by the legco legal advisor. The government can adopt it in which case it will only need a simple majority. If not, it has to be passed by both sections of legco and DAB will have to decide what they want to. I understand even Abraham Razack supports the amendment so there is a good chance that DAB will force the government to take over the amendment rather than make them choose sides. That would certainly upset the LP who have little trust of Chinese herbalists. Alan Leong gave press con on the alternative proposal for Tamar last Friday. Details of press statement have been sent to everyone. DAB is raising trouble with deputy judge’s membership in CP. There have been articles written. Ma Lik has put in a formal question, Li Kwok Ying asks to discuss this in the AJLS meeting. I have informed JL and TA, the members concerned. Grand Promenade 嘉亨灣 Independent Report vs PAC – The Parliamentary group feels that it is difficult to defend Legco’s position that the government can’t appoint an independent committee or that the government must guarantee that the outcome of the independent committee must be the same as Legco’s conclusion. However the conclusion

of the independent committee in this particular case is questionable. Motion on SARS victim by FC – this is likely to be passed. AL’s motion on URA – AL who is non-executive member of URA proposes that we oppose the amendment from DAB’s Chan Kam Lam which deletes the wording in the original motion setting out restraints on URA CE Questioning Time this Thursday : suggestions are welcome. Possible questions on Tamar or universal suffrage discussed. Friday FC – The Parliamentary Group will oppose the new post for the Commission on Strategic Development. So far it is known that CP and DP will oppose it so it is likely to be passed. Any queries on coming issues as attached are welcome.