CS urges lawmakers not to filibuster

April 13, 2013

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam has urged lawmakers not to introduce meaningless amendments to the Appropriation Bill to hold up the budget's passage when the Legislative Council votes on  it this coming week.
 
Speaking to reporters today, Mrs Lam said the Government’s stance is that the lawmakers’ delaying tactics are not acceptable under relevant provisions of the Basic Law, but it respects the Legislative Council President’s ruling.
 
She said such filibustering is inappropriate as it affects the Government's normal daily operations.
 
Meanwhile, Mrs Lam said the number of live chickens sold at retail had fallen since avian influenza last broke out in Hong Kong. Whether to cancel live chickens' sale in the market can be revisited in view of this development, but it was not an appropriate time to trigger that discussion.
 
Preventing a bird flu outbreak is crucial, she said, and it is important for live chicken stall owners, and those who work at live chicken wholesale points, to work together to ensure environmental hygiene.