THE committee charged with scrutinising the Personal Data (Privacy) Bill which seeks to protect personal data was adjourned yesterday after three Legislative Councillors left in the first 10 minutes to attend other meetings.
Independents Emily Lau Wai-hing and Roger Luk Koon-ho watched on helplessly as the committee lost its quorum when Liberals Ronald Arculli and Peter Wong Hong-yuen, and Democrat Dr Huang Chen-ya walked out.
Mr Luk accused the two parties of insulting both himself and the Government with their actions.
Robin McLeish, the Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs, said he was disappointed.
'This bill was not dreamt up in a couple of months . . . this is a thorough approach. We have done a lot to this bill and have progressed very, very far.' Dr Huang said that the bill should be halted temporarily so, heading for a second reading, it would get the attention it deserved.
He added: 'We want a bill which protects data privacy, but we feel that this bill has problems. It could either give too much power to the Government, interfering with the free flow of information, or it will do the opposite.' Mr Wong said that the committee must understand that every member of Legco has priorities: 'My heart is next door with the Mandatory Provident Fund.' Ms Lau will meet the Secretary for Home Affairs today to see whether the Government intends to go through with the data privacy bill.
