'Legco Services To Remain Affected For Long Time'

The president of the Legislative Council, Andrew Leung, said on Thursday that the "red alert" in force at the council complex could be lifted as early as next week, but certain public services will be out of action for much longer.

Leung said the Legco Commission has inspected the damaged building and discussed follow-up action, and decided that since finding a suitable alternative venue for meetings would be difficult, priority should be given to restoring the complex so the council can be reconvened in October.

"At every meeting we have over a thousand people in the complex, including reporters," he said. "So to find another venue is very difficult."

But Leung's briefing did not clear up the uncertainty that remained over some urgent funding bills that lawmakers were supposed to pass before the house starts its summer recess on July 12.

Some lawmakers, including the Civic Party's Dennis Kwok, had called for alternative arrangements, such as circulating the papers among legislators, to pass the bills connected to livelihood issues like the expansion of public hospitals and Civil Service pay rises.

But the opposition camp was divided, with pan-democratic convenor Claudia Mo shooting down the proposal from Kwok.

"That would set an extremely, extremely dangerous precedent," she said. "Because if this is the case, next time what about our gigantic, man-made island of Lantau? It is going to be passed just like that?"

Opposition lawmaker Gary Fan said he too was opposed to the circular idea.

Pro-govt lawmaker Alice Mak, from the pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions, said the opposition shouldn't oppose the circular idea as funding relating to people's livelihoods should not be blocked.