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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
public will criticise the Secretariat for being rash or putting forth a motion without careful consideration.
Mr. Chairman, with your approval, I would like to move for the shelving of the motion in accordance with Standing Order No. 17 so that it can be amended properly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. CHUNG has proposed to amend the motion. First of all, we need to have a seconder.
Mr. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):—I am proposing to shelve the motion in accordance with Standing Order No. 17. If my motion is carried, we can proceed to move an amendment. That is my proposal.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—In accordance with Standing Order No. 17, shelving a motion is a motion in itself. A seconder is needed before we can put the question......
Mr. Kam Nai-wai (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a question about Mr. CHUNG's proposal. I wonder under which Standing Order he is proposing to handle this. I have never come across such a situation.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—We met with such a situation before at the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. Under Section 17(1), the Council can, subject to the restriction of Section 17(2), stop proceeding with a matter by way of a motion.
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I only know that we have a procedure to move amendments at monthly meetings. I remember that the Working Group on Review of the Standing Orders of the Urban Council resolved that notice had to be given for moving amendments. Mr. CHUNG is now trying to move an amendment. I do not understand his intention because there is already a procedure in place to do so and it does not allow one to do so on the day of the motion debate. I hope the Chairman can clarify the procedure for us. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):—In fact, I was on leave and away from Hong Kong for a certain period. On my return, I noticed the problem with the agenda. I discussed with Mr. Stanley NG Wing-fai of the Democratic Party, but the deadline for moving an amendment had already passed. Nevertheless, if we go headlong and vote on the motion and it is carried, it would be embarrassing for the Council. I think members of the Democratic Party should take note of this point. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. LAI HOK-LIM (in Cantonese):—Mr. CHUNG has raised a point of substance and referred to the Standing Order. I think we have to think about
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