Mr Cheung told the South China Morning Post that his debate would be on a political issue. 'The debates in the very last sitting will be very important,' he said.

Mr Cheng, a Preparatory Committee member, said there was 'no special reason' he had applied for a motion debate.

The move was a result of co-ordination among the three Federation of Trade Unions legislators, he said - himself, Chan Yuen-han and Chan Wing-chan.

'We have planned to have one of us table one motion at the beginning of the legislative year, one in the middle and one at the end,' he said.

Ms Chan proposed her motion on Hong Kong's manpower resources training system last month and Mr Chan will move his in February.

But at this stage it is still uncertain whether Mr Cheung and Mr Cheng will definitely be able to have their motions debated in the last sitting, as there could be other lawmakers who want to table their motions on that day.

As each Legco meeting allows the motions of no more than two members, the lawmakers will have to draw lots if other legislators apply to table their motions in the same meeting.

Although there are legislators applying well in advance to table their motions in June, they appear not to be keen to propose motions in the last legislative year under British rule.

Instead of having to fight for debate slots, only five legislators have so far filed applications for the tabling of motions in next month's four sittings.