Liberal Party Opposes Bypassing Bills Committee

Liberal Party leader Felix Chung says it would be the “worst solution” if the government's controversial extradition bill is put directly to the full Legislative Council, instead of it being vetted at a bills committee.

“We have a lot of questions to ask, and the government is willing to answer. If we go directly for the third reading then we miss all these opportunities,” he told RTHK’s Janice Wong on Wednesday.

Calls emerged last week for the bills committee set up to scrutinise the legal amendments to be bypassed, in light of a stand-off between the pro-establishment and pan-democratic camps over who is entitled to preside over the proceedings to select a chairman.

Pan-democratic lawmakers have called for talks with their pro-establishment colleagues and government officials to solve the deadlock.

But Chung agreed with the Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung, who on Tuesday brushed aside the suggestion and said the selection of a chairman is an internal matter for Legco to resolve.