Report By Pl For Exco Meeting On 11th April 2006

Report by PL for exco meeting on 11th April 2006 Tamar – CP legislators voted against the creation of a D2 post that is meant to last until 2008 with a job description of co-ordinating the government depts and doing the tender for the building of the HQ at Tamar. DP, LP and DAB supported the creation of this post and DAB kept saying this D2 will also consider other sites like Kai Tak but the government officials are very clear that this is not so. This D2 is supposed to lobby people who oppose the move. Unionists like Lee Chuek Yan or Chan Yuen Han stayed away. Please note that this is the first time any CP legislators voted on this. So there is no question of U turn by any of us. Betting Jockey Club tax – I have been chased for CP’s view on this. My own reaction is that betting is for individual’s morality and behaviour and the legislators should not oppose these changes unless they involve real matters of principle. However I told the press that I will consult the other legislators before making public my own views. Please advise reasons for or against the proposal, if any. KCRC and MTR merger – you have read about the proposal leaked from exco discussions. Please let us have your views. Please advise which policy branch will look at this. Is it branch 2? Housing – I am still waiting for views if any on public housing consultation. I need to know the CP’s views. Copyright – we started bills committee deliberations. Education – please note the debate that is going on about preschool education and subdegree – there will be a education panel meeting on 10th April about pre school education and FC is taking care of liaison with civil society and profession. Pl also note the debate about the interference with academic freedom and Ka Lok is taking care of liaison with the profession. Domestic violence and no plastic bag – there will be two events this Sunday. MN, MT, FC (and Ka Lok?) will be attending the first one (in remembrance of the Tin Shui Wai tragedy) and I will be attending the second one (in preparation for no plastic bag next Saturday). If you want to join, please ask for details. 8th April 2006