A move to express regret that Tung Chee-hwa failed to deal with a range of issues in the Policy Address was defeated by a large margin last night.
Members voted 40 to 5 against an amendment by Frederick Fung Kin-kee, chairman of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, tabled to the motion of thanks moved by House Committee chairman Dr Leong Che-hung.
Mr Fung accused Mr Tung of failing to implement an effective policy to eradicate poverty and to increase with immediate effect the monthly Comprehensive Social Security Assistance for the elderly by at least $300.
The Government's intention to import more foreign workers also failed to safeguard local workers' employment rights, Mr Fung said.
He said the policy blueprint provided no effective measures to combat speculation on private properties and no specific arrangements to enable the Chief Executive and the legislature to be returned by direct elections.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Fung said the association would vote against the motion next Wednesday if officials failed to respond to his criticisms.
He attributed the little backing he secured for his amendments to the fact that the interim body was dominated by pro-business and pro-government members.