Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ17: Appointments to the councils and board
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Joseph Lee and a written reply by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today
(November 11):
Question:
Regarding appointments to the Supplementary Medical Professions Council, Nursing
Council of Hong Kong, Chiropractors Council and Pharmacy and Poisons Board which
were set up by the Government, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective years of service and titles of the various members who
currently serve on the aforesaid Councils/Board (set out in table form), and the
reasons why some of these members are re-appointed as chairmen or members of
such Councils/Board or some members concerned have served for more than six
years; and
(b) whether the Government has considered returning some members of these
Councils/Board by direct election, so as to enhance the credibility of the
aforesaid Councils/Board; if it has, of the relevant details and the specific
timetable; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) The appointments to the aforesaid Councils/Board are made in accordance with
the Government's general guidelines for appointment of members to advisory and
statutory bodies. The basic principle adopted in making appointments should be
to appoint individuals on their merits so as to secure the services of the most
suitable persons to meet the requirements of such bodies. In the process of
making appointments, factors such as the candidate's ability, expertise,
experience, and integrity will be taken into account. Information on the
respective years of service and titles of the various members serving on the
aforesaid Councils/Board is at Annex.
Among these Councils/Board, the Nursing Council of Hong Kong has one member
whose appointment has been repeated with total years of service exceeding six
years, whereas the Pharmacy and Poisons Board has one member who has served for
more than six years and two members whose appointments have been repeated. For
details, please refer to the notes of the Councils/Board concerned in Annex.
(b) Since establishment, the aforesaid Councils/Board have been operated under
the principle of professional autonomy along with a fair degree of lay
participation. These Councils/Board comprise members not only from their
respective professions but also from different sectors such as the academic
sector, public service and lay public, so as to draw reference from other
sectors' experience in their regulatory work. In making an appointment, the
Secretary for Food and Health would also take into account an individual's
ability, experience, integrity and commitment to serving the community so as to
make suitable appointment.
Except the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, other Councils/Board have no plans to
return some of their members by direct election.
Regarding the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, Section 3(2)(ca) of the Nursing
Registration Ordinance provides that the Council should include six members who
are registered or enrolled nurses and returned by election. As for the specific
timetable, we need to fully consult the profession and the community before the
introduction of direct election as it will involve amendment to the legislation
and require additional resources and administrative support, which may have a
bearing on the professional registration fees.
Ends/Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:40
NNNN
Annex to LCQ17