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Regarding the suggestion to restrict the power of the President to issue administrative instructions and limiting the scope of such instructions for administrative purposes, we take the view that there are already sufficient safeguards in Clause 8 itself and in the Council as a whole. Members of the public can be assured that Clause 8(1) clearly states that the Bill is not aimed at excluding the public from sittings of the Council. Clause 8(2) and 8(3) respectively are for the purposes of orderly conduct of meetings and proper management of the precincts of the Chamber. Only those individuals who choose to violate the provision of this Clause will be excluded. Moreover, if in case the President were to issue an instruction contrary to the wish of Members without good reasons, such as barring the public from regular meetings, Members would certainly question and challenge him on behalf of the public.
Furthermore, Clause 8 as amended gives Hong Kong people more freedom in attending sittings of the Legislative Council than in the United Kingdom Parliament. In the U.K., members of the public cannot enter Parliament as of right. Admission is subject to regulations. In the strangers gallery even the writing of notes is not allowed. Those not sitting properly will be warned and anyone creating disturbance will immediately be expelled.
In conclusion, we are satisfied that Clause 8 as amended does not pose a deprivation of the freedom of Hong Kong people from attending or knowing the proceedings of Council meetings.
Sir, I beg to move.