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comprehensiveness and the generality of the original motion will be undermined. For instance, with regard to the pollution problem, the amended motion refers to a single aspect only but not the others, such as noise pollution, hygiene, smelly carcasses and their body fluids. Regarding delivery, it does not cover all the three steps that I have listed out. While Mr. Chan Kwok-leung places the emphasis on the Western District, the original motion states that we should consider residents within a vast area. The residents of Western District are of course included. In fact, apart from the Western District, residents living along the railway route from the border to Ho Man Tin, and those in Hung Hom, To Kwa Wan and Central are also suffering because of the nuisances.
In Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung's speech, I think the most constructive and positive point is that the Democratic Party no longer considers the spread of bacteria an obstacle in requesting funding for the construction of Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse. During the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council earlier on, The Hon. SZETO Wah said that the Democratic Party supported the funding request but was worried about the bacteria problem. Today, Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung brings us the news that the spread of bacteria is no longer a problem. I hope that our Legco colleagues in the Council will learn of this. When the Government appeals to Legco for funding, the bacteria problem will no longer be the reason or excuse for rejection. I believe that The Hon. Mok Ying-fan, our representative in Legco, will be glad to hear this at the Legco meeting. The other day when Legco discussed the paper, he was the only one who voted for the funding. Since other Members voted against it, the funding request was turned down by Legco on 24 January. Now that the funding has been delayed for almost half a year, we really hope that all Councillors will be as good as their words and keep their promise made at the meeting. We really look forward to an early approval of funding by Legco, and the speedy construction of the slaughterhouse by the Government. As mentioned in the original motion, we also hope that before the construction is completed, the Government, the departments concerned and the USD will try their best to solve the environmental, hygienic and noise pollution problems, and submit relevant papers to our Committees concerned for follow-up actions. I hope that all Councillors will vote for the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—As all Members have spoken. I will now put the amended motion to vote. The Secretariat, please prepare to count votes. Raise your hand if you vote for the amended motion.
The question on Mr. Chan Kwok-leung's amended motion was put.
Mr. Chan Kwok-leung's amended motion was lost with 12 votes for, 17 votes against and 4 abstentions. (Please refer to the annex for each Councillor's vote)
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