Major political parties yesterday said the Legislative Council should retain the power to conduct inquiries.
The Liberal Party's Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee said the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance struck a balance between Legco's power to monitor the Government and the Government's smooth functioning.
Mrs Chow, a member of the provisional legislature, said the inquiry into former immigration director Laurence Leung Ming-yin showed such powers were needed to keep checks on the Government.
'So far there is no sign the legislation poses any threat to the executive-led government,' she said.
Some pro-China figures have said the power should be scrapped because it undermines executive-led government.
Ip Kwok-him from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong agreed the post-1997 legislature should retain the power to hold hearings.
