Legislators pile on the questions
LEGISLATORS bombarded officials with almost 600 questions in this year's session.
Heads of government branches answered almost 150 oral questions during the weekly meetings, and gave written replies to some 450 questions filed by legislators.
Independent Emily Lau Wai-hing was the most active. The outspoken legislator asked five oral questions and filed 30 written ones.
She preferred oral questions to written ones because she could come face to face with officials and ask follow-up questions.
She denied she was putting on a ''political show''. ''I just ask questions which should be asked,'' she said.
Second and third on the list were United Democrat legislator Dr Huang Chen-ya, who asked 34 questions, and independent legislator Chim Pui-chung, who asked 26.
All three said they found they received satisfactory replies.
Independent legislator Andrew Wong Wang-fat did not ask a question. ''That's not my style. I can always ask questions during panel meetings.'' Another independent, Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, filed one written question. He also said panel meetings were another channel for questioning officials.
Secretary for Security Alistair Asprey was the busiest branch head, answering 100 questions. Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands Tony Eason answered 89.
Only two questions were asked of Financial Secretary Sir Hamish Macleod.
The last sitting of the 1993-94 Legco year ended at 1.30 am today. A total of 30 bills were passed, including two private member's bills.
