THE provisional legislature last night appeared certain to begin work on laws before the handover after a ruling that Chief Executive-designate Tung Chee-hwa would make the final decision.
Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, convenor of the handover body's working committee on procedural affairs, said they would submit their views to Mr Tung on whether the three readings of bills should be completed before July 1 and leave the final decision to him.
'It is entirely Mr Tung's decision,' she said.
Mr Tung has already said he would like all 'indispensable' bills ready before the handover. They include the controversial Public Order and Societies ordinances.
President Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai said she was not worried about the legal challenge threatened by the Democratic Party.
'We cannot stop doing something which is legal simply because of somebody's words or action,' she said.
