The Enactment of a Bill Air-conditioning System Control Bill. : Bill: First Reading. : (Stand up) Air-conditioning System Control Bill.

Transcription

1 The Enactment of a Bill Air-conditioning System Control Bill For primary schools First Reading Role : Bill: First Reading. CLERK TO Air-conditioning System Control Bill. Second Reading (Debate resumed) Role : Bill: Second Reading. Secretary for the Environment SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT President, I move the Second Reading of the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. The Bill seeks to regulate the indoor air-conditioning systems installed in all primary and secondary schools, which must be turned off when the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius or below, so as to save energy and alleviate air pollution. Moreover, due to the greenhouse effects on the Earth, global warming is already an indisputable fact. We need to start educating the next generation to enable the young people to learn to live a "green" life and care about environmental protection when they are at a tender age (The Secretary may come up with more points of his/her own) I urge Members to support the Bill. 1

2 : We will debate on the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. Does any Member wish to speak? (Student acting as LegCo Member 1 Geographical Constituencies raises his/her hand) Hon (Name of student acting as LegCo Member 1 Geographical Constituencies) Member 1 Geographical Constituencies) Thank you, President. I speak in support of the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. Many students and teachers agree that during the cooler days in autumn and winter, it is indeed unnecessary to turn on the indoor air-conditioning systems in schools. Actually, all we need to do is open the windows after turning off the air-conditioning system of the classroom. In addition to allowing air ventilation and bringing in fresh air for teachers and students, so doing can also save energy and help to achieve environmental and economic effects (Student may express more views freely) (Student acting as LegCo Member 2 Geographical Constituencies raises his/her hand) : Hon (Name of student acting as LegCo Member 2 Geographical Constituencies) Member 2 Geographical Constituencies) Thank you, President. I oppose the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. Some schools have long been suffering from the noise nuisance nearby and have to keep their windows shut. If schools are mandatorily required by legislation to turn off their air-conditioning systems at a specified temperature, 2

3 students who do not have a quiet learning environment are forced to open the classroom windows, thus making it impossible for them to concentrate on their studies (Student may express more views freely) As such, I oppose to the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. (Student acting as LegCo Member 3 Education Functional Constituency raises his/her hand) : Hon (Name of student acting as LegCo Member 3 Education Functional Constituency) Member 3 Education Functional Constituency) Thank you, President. Many parents and teachers reflected that they have found their children/students using the air-conditioning systems at home and in schools in an unrestrained manner, especially in summer. As such, we should educate our next generation about the importance of environmental protection, and teach them how to save energy by using the air-conditioning systems wisely and properly, and help alleviate the problems of air pollution and global warming. It is essential for children and teenagers to cultivate an awareness of the need for environmental protection and energy saving... (Student may express more views freely) For these reasons, I support the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. (Student acting as LegCo Member 4 Medical Functional Constituency raises his/her hand) : Hon (Name of student acting as LegCo Member 4 Medical Functional Constituency) 3

4 Member 4 Medical Functional Constituency) Thank you, President. According to many medical researches, if children or teenagers stay indoor with air-conditioning systems turned on for a long period of time, their airways would become weak and sensitive. Due to the great difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the mouths, noses and throats of many children and teenagers may become dry. As such, they are prone to suffer from tracheal contraction, asthma, cough or other respiratory diseases (Student may express more views freely) For these reasons, I support the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. (Student acting as LegCo Member 5 Commercial Functional Constituency raises his/her hand) : Hon (Name of student acting as LegCo Member 5 Commercial Functional Constituency) Member 5 Commercial Functional Constituency) Thank you, President. If the indoor air-conditioning systems installed in all primary and secondary schools must be turned off when the temperature is 25 degree Celsius or below, I am concerned that the number of air-conditioning systems to be installed in all primary and secondary schools will decease sharply. Should this be the case, enterprises manufacturing air-conditioning systems, the import and export sector, the wholesale and retail sector, and so on, would be adversely affected (Student may express more views freely) As such, I oppose the Air-conditioning System Control Bill. : Does any other Member wish to speak? 4

5 (The rest of the students acting as LegCo Members may raise their hands to indicate their wish to speak. Students should wait until the President calls his/her name to stand up and speak.) Hon (Name of student acting as LegCo Member) HON Member) (LegCo (One by one, the President calls upon the students who have raised their hands to indicate their wish to speak to stand up and speak.) (Student to express his/her opinion) : (All students who have raised their hands to indicate their wish to speak have finished delivering their speeches) Does any other Member wish to speak? (If no Member indicates a wish to speak.) I now put the question to you and that is: That the Air-conditioning System Control Bill be read the Second time. Will those in favour please raise their hands? Those against please raise their hands. 5

6 (If over half of the Members present vote in favour of the Bill) agreed by a majority of the Members present. passed. (If half or less than half of the Members present vote in favour of the Bill) not agreed by a majority of the Members presents. negatived. CLERK TO Air-conditioning System Control Bill. Third Reading Role : Council now resumes Third Reading Air-conditioning System Control Bill Secretary for the Environment SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT President. The Air-conditioning System Control Bill has passed through Committee with amendments...(the Secretary expresses his/her view freely, responds to Members' views, and seeks Members' support for the passage of the Bill) I move that this bill be read the third time. : I now propose the question to you and that is: That the Air-conditioning System Control Bill be read the third time. 6

7 I now put the question to you as stated. Will those in favour please raise their hands? Those against please raise their hands. (If over half of the Members present vote in favour of the Bill) agreed by a majority of the Members present. passed. (If half or less than half of the Members present vote in favour of the Bill) not agreed by a majority of the Members present. negatived. CLERK TO Air-conditioning System Control Bill. - End - 7