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Foreign countries visits by members of Parliament

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mt Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is reported that the British Parliament has passed a resolution prohibiting Members of Parliament (MPs) who have paid visits to foreign countries at the sponsorship of their governments from speaking in the Parliament on matters concerning those countries. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

whether it has any information about the content of the resolution; if so, what are the details;

(b)

(c)

whether it will assess the impact of the resolution on the territory and review the current practice of sponsoring MP's visits to the territory; and

of the total number of MPs who have visited the territory in the past three years at the invitation of the Hong Kong Government and the total expenditure incurred on such sponsored visits?

Reply:

Mr President.

(a)

(b)

A UK Parliamentary Committee chaired by Lord Nolan published recommendations in May 1995 relating to disclosures of interest and the holding of consultancies by MP's. These recommendations were considered by the House of Commons Select Committee on Standards in Public Life. A new Select Committee was subsequently set up called the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges which proposed the post of Parliamentary Commissioner of Standards. The Commissioner is now considering the recommendations including the issue of paid visits to foreign countries. No decision has yet been taken.

The practice of sponsoring British MPs to visit HK will be reviewed in the light of any decisions reached by the House of Commons.

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