LegCo Meeting Scheduled: Courts Bill and Amendments to Public Health and Companies Bills to be Introduced.

Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill to be introduced into LegCo for First Reading and Second Reading (with attachments)

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

The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (December 4) at 11 am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.

The Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Companies (Amendment) Bill 2024 will also be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debates on the Bills will be adjourned.

On Members' motions, Mr Kenneth Fok will move a motion on exploring the reform of mechanisms on all fronts to strengthen the role of events capital. The motion is set out in Appendix 1. Ms Chan Yuet-ming, Mr Yiu Pak-leung, Dr Hoey Simon Lee, Mr Vincent Cheng and Mr Michael Tien will move separate amendments to Mr Fok's motion.

Ms Carmen Kan will move a motion on strengthening the governance systems and further reinforcing the closely intertwined relations between the "three centres". The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr So Cheung-wing will move an amendment to Ms Kan's motion.

Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.

The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

Health Bureau responds to commencement of recruitment of Chief Executive by Hospital Authority

In respect of the Hospital Authority (HA) initiating the process to recruit a Chief Executive to succeed Dr Tony Ko, who has indicated that he will not seek continued employment after the term of his contract ends in July this year, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed today (January 23) his high recognition of and gratitude to Dr Ko for his contributions to the public healthcare system.

Professor Lo said, "I deeply appreciate the contributions made by Dr Tony Ko to the development of the public healthcare system over the past six years in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the HA. During this period, the HA faced numerous major challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic, which put tremendous and unprecedented pressure on the public healthcare system. Dr Ko did his utmost to lead the HA in its response to the challenges brought about by every wave of the epidemic, guiding staff of the HA to serve the community in concerted efforts. His work is highly commendable.

"Dr Ko has also stepped up efforts to enhance the management and efficiency of the public healthcare system, raising the quality, safety and effectiveness of the HA's services, and has supported multiple government policies and explored more collaboration opportunities in healthcare with the Mainland and the rest of the world while improving services so that Hong Kong can give better play to its unique role and contribute to the healthcare development of the country. Dr Ko has made great contributions to the public healthcare system. I wish him every success in his future endeavours after leaving the post of Chief Executive of the HA."