Borrison/hk-legicost huggingface dataset:
政府當局表示，當局只會把發行綠色債券籌集到的資金支用於按照現行機制獲財務委員會批准的工務項目。
The Administration has advised that proceeds raised by green bond issuances will only be used on public works projects approved by the Finance Committee under the existing mechanism
當局會按某次發行所採用的綠色債券標準和指引及其他相關因素，評核及挑選獲財務委員會批准的項目，所以不存在政府規避或不當地影響立法會審核工務項目的問題。
As projects approved by the Finance Committee would be assessed and selected according to the green bond standards and guidelines adopted for a particular issuance as well as other relevant factors there is no question of the Government circumventing or unduly affecting the scrutiny of public works projects by the Legislative Council
擬議決議案現時的草擬方式，賦權政府在政府綠色債券計劃下多次發行債券，而累計總值可超過1,000億港元，只要計劃下未清償本金的總額在任何時間不超過1,000億元便可。
The proposed resolution as presently drafted authorizes the Government to issue bonds multiple times under the Government Green Bond Programme for an amount cumulatively exceeding HK100 billion in total so long as the total amount of outstanding principal under the Programme does not exceed 100 billion at any time
小組委員會曾研究這種類似循環信貸的安排是否與《條例》的相關條文一致。
The Subcommittee has examined whether such an arrangement similar to revolving credit is consistent with the relevant provisions of the Ordinance
就此，政府當局引述財政司在1975年訂立《條例》時的動議發言，解釋《條例》中"借入"一詞的定義應包含"循環信貸安排"，而這種信貸安排在當時非常普遍。
In this connection the Administration has quoted the speech of the Financial Secretary moving the enactment of the Ordinance in 1975 to explain that the definition of the word borrow in the Ordinance should include revolving credit facility and it was already a common type of credit facility back then
政府當局認為，若立法局當時有意對循環信貸作出限制，該《條例》中應該有明確條文排除或禁止使用循環信貸安排。
The Administration contends that had it been the intention of the Legislative Council to impose such restrictions on revolving credit there should be express references in the Ordinance carving out or prohibiting revolving credit facility
小組委員會曾考慮個別委員提出的擬議修訂議案，但決定不會以小組委員會名義提出任何修訂。
The Subcommittee has considered the proposed amending motions put forward by individual members but decided not to propose any amendments under the name of the Subcommittee
代理主席，以下是我個人對上述擬議決議案的意見。
Deputy President my personal views on the aforesaid proposed Resolution are as follows
要更恰當地了解擬議決議案，有需要簡單回顧相關國際趨勢和政策背景。
To gain a more proper understanding of the proposed Resolution it is necessary to take a glimpse of the relevant international trend and policy backgrounds
自《巴黎協定》在2015年訂定後，發展綠色金融在世界各國成為熱門趨勢，而綠色金融同時是國家推動"一帶一路"區域合作及建設粵港澳大灣區的重要策略工具。
Since the conclusion of the Paris Agreement in 2015 the development of green finance has become a popular trend in countries worldwide and green finance is also a national strategic tool vital to promoting regional cooperation along the Belt and Road and the development of the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macao Bay Area
特區政府亦緊貼國際趨勢，財政司司長在2018-2019年度財政預算案中，宣布推出政府綠色債券計劃，目的是透過鼓勵集資者以香港的資本平台，為工務計劃下具環境效益的綠色項目融資，一方面推動綠色金融在香港的發展，而另一方面則彰顯政府對可持續發展的支持及應對氣候變化的決心。
The SAR Government has also closely kept up with the international trend . The Financial Secretary announced in the 2018 - 2019 Budget the proposal for launching a Government Green Bond Programme which seeks to finance green projects with environmental benefits under the Public Works Programme by encouraging issuers to arrange financing through Hong Kongs capital markets thereby promoting the development of green finance in Hong Kong on the one hand and signifying the Governments support for sustainable development and determination to combat climate change on the other
擬議決議案根據《條例》提出，這項《條例》由港英立法局於1975年5月制定，為政府籌集借款訂定條文。
The proposed resolution is moved by virtue of the Ordinance . The Ordinance was enacted in May 1975 by the British Hong Kong Legislative Council to make provisions for the raising of loans by the Government
《條例》至今經過兩次修訂，首次在1991年修訂，容許政府以無紙形式發行債券，並在2014年再次修訂，容許政府發行新種類票據，即另類債券。
The Ordinance has been amended twice so far . The first amendment was made in 1991 to allow the raising of loans by the Government by the issuance of bonds in paperless form and the Ordinance was further amended in 2014 to facilitate the issuance of a new type of instrument namely alternative bonds
鑒於擬議決議案附有授權政府"不時"借入款項的字眼，有議員同事質疑這種情況與條例第31條的規定是否一致，並認為相關授權應限於在一段合理時間內總額不超出1,000億港元的單一筆借款。
Noting that the proposed resolution is drafted with the phrase from time to time in authorizing the Government to make borrowings some Honourable colleagues have queried whether this is consistent with section 31 of the Ordinance and thought that the relevant authorization should be confined to a single borrowing transaction with an amount not exceeding HK100 billion within a reasonable period of time
然而，第31條對政府借入款項的權力有清晰規定，一方面要求借入的"款額"及借款的"目的"須由立法會藉決議批准，而借入的"方式"、"條款"及"規限條件"則由政府與借款人議定而不需立法會藉決議批准。
Nevertheless section 31 clearly provides for the power of the Government to make borrowings . On the one hand it requires the sum or sums and the purposes of loans to be approved by Resolution of the Legislative Council while the manner terms and conditions of such loans are to be agreed between the Government and the lenders and need not be approved by the Legislative Council by way of Resolution
第31條亦沒有排除批准多於一筆借款，惟需受限於決議的條款。
Section 31 also does not preclude authorization for more than one single borrowing transaction subject to the terms of the Resolution
政府當局曾向委員保證，擬議決議案與《條例》所授予的權力一致。
The Administration has assured members that the proposed resolution is consistent with the authority conferred by the Ordinance
事實上，自《條例》在1975年制定以來，立法會曾根據《條例》第31條為基本工程儲備基金的目的作出多項決議，而該等決議至今仍然有效，顯示類似做法有往例可循。
In fact since the enactment of the Ordinance in 1975 the Legislative Council has made a number of Resolutions for the purposes of CWRF under section 31 of the Ordinance and they remain valid even now indicating that there are precedents of similar practice
根據《條例》第2條，"借入"包括憑信貸安排取得款項的權力，但有議員質疑擬議決議案現時的草擬方式會否產生賦權政府訂立循環借款協定的效用，結果讓政府可借入額外款項，有可能賦權政府將借款額累計提高至可能超出1,000億元的總額。
Under section 2 of the Ordinance borrow includes the power to draw upon a credit facility . But some Members have queried whether the proposed Resolution as presently drafted would have the effect of authorizing the Government to enter into a revolving loan agreement with the result of the Government being allowed to raise additional borrowings which might authorize the Government to raise borrowings for an amount which cumulatively may exceed 100 billion in total
政府當局表示，《條例》第2條中的"信貸安排"包含廣泛的財務及商業安排，而循環信貸安排是其中一種最常見的信貸安排。
The Administration has advised that credit facility in section 2 of the Ordinance refers to a wide range of financial and business arrangements and one of the most common types of credit facility is revolving credit facility
但正如當局解釋，若港英立法局在1975年制定該條例時有意作此限制，應 該有明確條文排除或禁止使用循環信貸安排。
But as explained by the Administration had it been the intention of the British Hong Kong Legislative Council to impose such restrictions when enacting the Ordinance in 1975 there should be express references carving out or prohibiting revolving credit facility
因此，該條可合理地被理解為授權政府獲取循環信貸安排，但該安排的最高借款額及借款目的須獲立法會批准。
Hence the section can reasonably be construed as authorizing the Government to obtain a revolving credit facility provided that the maximum amount and purposes of the credit facility are approved by the Legislative Council
代理主席，綠色金融的概念以至其評核與評估的基本原則及機制，目前正處於發展初階，將隨着全球對綠色金融日益增加的關注和投資而不斷演變。
Deputy President the concept of green finance as well as the underlying principles and mechanisms for assessment and evaluation is at the nascent stage of development and will keep on evolving as it attracts more public attention and increased investment from around the world
同時，由氣候債券倡議組織訂立的《氣候債券標準》版本2.1指明的投資範圍包括能源、低碳建築、工業及能源密集型產業、廢棄物和污染控制、運輸、通訊技術、自然資產及水等分類。
Meanwhile the investment areas contained in the Climate Bonds Standard version 2.1 introduced by the Climate Bonds Initiative include energy low carbon building industry and energy intensive commercial waste and pollution control transport information technology and communications nature based assets and water
政府在註釋是這樣寫的："本決議關乎在2018-19年度財政預算案中的一項建議。該項建議是透過綠色債券發行計劃，在香港推動綠色金融。該計劃將會為政府的綠色工務項目提供資金。
This is what the Government has written in the Explanatory Note This Resolution relates to the proposal in the 2018 - 2019 Budget to promote green finance in Hong Kong through a green bond issuance programme which will provide funding for green works projects of the Government
在2018年6月6日，財經事務及庫務局曾發出一份文件，題為"《借款條例》推行政府綠色債券計劃的決議"。
On 6 June 2018 the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau issued a paper entitled Loans Ordinance Chapter 61 Resolution to Implement the Government Green Bond Programme
港鐵公司把觀塘線延線及南港島線稱為低碳運輸，然後以這理由舉債，發行所謂的綠色債券。
MTRCL classified the Kwun Tong Line Extension and the South Island Line as low carbon transport and then secured borrowings on this ground by issuance of green bonds so to speak
由於內容是這麼的不清楚，如何確保款項真的用於綠色工程？
As the details are so unclear how can we ensure that the sums will indeed be expended on green works projects?
同時，在發債的時候，其實公眾或機構投資者不會理會甚麼綠色工務，我所指的純粹是真正的投資者，先不要說甚麼企業良心等。
Meanwhile at the issuance of bonds the public or institutional investors actually do not care about green works or whatsoever . I am referring to pure bona fide investors and let us not talk about corporate conscience for the time being
為審慎起見，計劃最初發行的債券批次會以機構投資者為對象，年期為3年至5年。
For the sake of prudence issuances for the initial tranches of the Programme will target institutional investors with tenors of three to five years
我想問的是，當局發債的目的如果是為了益惠香港，有時是可以一石二鳥的，剛才有些同事也提到iBond或其他銀色債券等，為何不利用這次發債令一般的個人投資者也可以進行投資呢？
Then I wish to ask If this issuance programme of the Government is for the benefit of Hong Kong sometimes the Government can kill two birds with one stone and as some colleagues mentioned iBond or the Silver Bond earlier why does the Government not seize this opportunity of bond issuance to allow investment by ordinary individual investors too?
所以，政府整個想法是否真的如此單純地透過推行綠色債券來達到原有目的呢？
So is the entire intention of the Government really as simple as to achieve the original purpose of the green bond issuance?
我希望在這段時間，有關當局可以交代有否這樣的計劃等。
It is my hope that during this period of time the relevant authorities can elucidate whether there is such a plan and things
既然郭家麒議員觀察到該等問題，我認為即使不在小組委員會的討論範圍或與有關附屬法例無關，政府仍需要正視該等問題。
Since Dr KWOK Ka - ki found such problems in his observation I think the Government should take them seriously even though they are not the subjects of discussion in the Subcommittee or related to the relevant subsidiary legislation
主席，我發言支持朱凱廸議員提出的中止待續議案。
President I rise to speak in support of the adjournment motion moved by Mr CHU Hoi - dick
我贊成中止這項決議案的辯論，主要因為這項決議案不清不楚。
I agree with adjourning the debate on this proposed resolution mainly because the Resolution is unclear
不清不楚的意思是這項決議案雖然提到，借款目的是為政府的綠色工務項目提供資金，但政府沒有就何謂綠色工務項目提出任何具體定義。
In saying this I mean albeit it is mentioned in the proposed resolution that the purpose of making borrowings is to provide funding for green public works projects of the Government the Government has not spelt out any specific definition of green public works projects . According to the paper provided by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau ie
然而，何謂綠色工務項目？
However what are green public works projects?
當局一再拒絕下定義，然 後嘗試以書面解釋，據立法會CB183/18-19號文件第27段所述，政府表示："為使計劃能與環球綠色金融發展共進，政府當局認為有必要及理據以務實的方式，既清楚表明政府的政策目的，又避免在擬議決議案中定義'綠色'，以免政府當局在無意間削弱香港發展綠色金融的潛力。
The authorities have once and again refused to spell out the definition and attempted to give a written explanation . According to paragraph 27 of LC Paper No . CB18318 - 19 the Government has stated that In order to keep abreast of the global development of green finance the Administration considers it necessary and justified to adopt a practical approach by making clear the Governments policy intention but without attempting to define green in the Proposed Resolution so that the Administration would not inadvertently undermine Hong Kongs development potential in green finance because of a green definition imposed under the resolution which may with hindsight become obsolete or overly narrow as the worlds conception of what is green evolves over time
主席，這個解釋頗為特別，政府在擬議決議案中要求立法會批准政府向外舉債，表明目的是推行綠色工程，但卻拒絕為綠色工程下定義。
The Government seeks approval from the Legislative Council to make borrowings from outside sources in the proposed resolution indicating that the purpose is to implement green works projects but it has refused to define green works projects
該份文件接着提到："另一方面，政府當局認為不適宜把擬議決議案的目的定為'綠色工務項目'，但因現時並沒有普遍認可、供綠色債券發行的'綠色'定義，而不在擬議決議案定義'綠色'，因為該方式將會引致計劃所涵蓋的範圍不明確"。
The paper then mentions that The Administration does not consider it appropriate to set out the purposes in the Proposed Resolution as green public works projects but leaving green undefined as it would cause uncertainty as to the scope of the Programme
主席，政府真是越說越糊塗，究竟這項擬議決議案批准政府舉債的目的為何？
President the Government has made it even more confusing . What exactly is the purpose of the proposed Resolution to allow the Government to make borrowings?
朱凱廸議員剛才已讀出法例原文，但條文很簡單，我可重複一次："政府可向任何人借入款項，借入的方式、條款及規限條件由政府與該人以協議議定，而借入的款額及借款的目的則須由立法會藉決議批准"。
Mr CHU Hoi - dick read out the original text of the law but I can repeat it once as the provisions are rather simple The Government may in such manner and on such terms and subject to such conditions as may be agreed between the Government and any person borrow from such person such sum or sums and for such purposes as may be approved by resolution of the Legislative Council
我們現在正正是討論有關的決議，既然要立法會批准款額和借款目的，立法會當然要了解清楚。
We are now precisely discussing such a resolution . The Legislative Council should get a full picture before approving the amount and purpose of borrowings
我剛才說過，借款目的不清不楚，款額上限是1,000億元，但這個上限不是定額，而是循環上限，意思是沒有累積上限。
As I said earlier the purpose of borrowing is vague . While the maximum amount is 100 billion the cap is not a fixed limit but it is revolving in essence which implies that there is no cumulative limit
翻看過往的紀錄我不再重複朱凱廸議員剛才的 說話其實情況並非如此。
Actually this is not the case when we look through the past records―I am not going to repeat what Mr CHU Hoi - dick has said just now
主席，我支持朱凱廸議員這項中止待續議案，原因很清楚是在整件事當中，無論是其目的即《借款條例》第31條所述的借款目的抑或款額，均沒有清晰定義。
President I support the adjournment motion moved by Mr CHU Hoi - dick . It is crystal clear that in the entire issue both the purpose―that is the purpose of borrowings stipulated in section 31 of the Ordinance―and the amount are not clearly defined
主席，這些完全不是我熟悉的範疇，但我相信工程界人士應該認識很清楚。
President I am not well versed in these at all but I believe those from the engineering sector should know it very well
如果國際上已經有一套發展至一定水平的綠色工程認許制度，但政府卻明確拒絕為綠色工程下定義，我實在看不到應該繼續辯論這項擬議決議案，或進入審議階段。
Despite the fact that an international certification scheme in respect of green works which has been developed to a certain level already exists the Government has explicitly refused to define green works . Hence I do not think we should proceed with the debate on the proposed Resolution nor should we commence the examination of it
我們看不到擬議決議案有何迫切性，看不到清晰目的，亦看不到借貸上限，所以我支持這項中止待續議案。
We do not see any urgency in the proposed resolution as well as a clear purpose and the upper limit of borrowings . Therefore I support the adjournment motion
主要是以綠色債券的名義，為一些綠色工程提供資金。
The main purpose is to finance green projects in the name of green bonds
香港很有福，政府多年來也有盈餘，而且盈餘相當豐厚，不斷增加。
Hong Kong is so blessed in that over the years the Government has enjoyed a handsome surplus which keeps growing
當一個富豪突然說要舉債，大家也會感到很奇怪，但這並非完全沒有道理的。
When a tycoon suddenly says he needs to raise a loan we will feel surprised but this is not totally unreasonable
如果為着一些公益或公共目標，對社會有益，而舉債或發債有助實踐，這可能也值得發債。
If it is for the public good or public objectives beneficial to society and raising loans or issuing bonds can help realize such purposes it may be worthwhile to do so
在某些情況下，發債可能會虧本，但因為公眾利益，政府也應該這樣做。
In certain situations an issuance of bonds may incur a loss but for the sake of public interests the Government should nonetheless do so
主席，我並非有關小組委員會的委員，但看過文件後，我認為政府語焉不詳，對於政府今次舉債的目標說得不清不楚。
President I am not a member of the Subcommittee concerned but after reading the papers I found the Government ambiguous and unclear in stating its purpose of raising loans this time
一如我早前就中止待續議案發言時提到，其中最大的問題是政府拒絕為"綠色"作定義。
As mentioned by me in my earlier speech on the adjournment motion the biggest problem is the Governments refusal to define green
對於整條高鐵的建造、鐵路本身的製造、車廂、路軌和有關機械等製造是否環保，這點很值得市民懷疑。
Whether the construction of the whole Express Rail Link XRL and production of the railway itself the compartments tracks relevant machines etc . were environmentally - friendly is open to question
那38億元主要投資發展地產項目，該地產項目唯一與綠色有關的，就是平台設有一個綠色空間及設有400個供電動車充電的車位。
The 3.8 billion was mainly used to invest in a real estate development project in which the only relevance to green was the provision of a green space on the podium and 400 parking spaces equipped with charging outlets for electric vehicles
這個地產項目因而便成為"綠色"，領展亦指這是綠色債券。
This real estate project thus became green . Link also claimed that it was a green bond
在現階段，我們未能估計政府會稱甚麼項目為綠色工程項目，但政府拒絕為"綠色"定義卻是清楚的事實，我們怎能確信不會出現這種"漂綠"情況呢？
At this stage we are unable to conjecture what projects will be named green works projects by the Government . Yet the Governments refusal to define green is an obvious fact . How can we be convinced that such a situation of greenwashing will not occur?
政府的收入分為兩類：一是經營帳，是恆常收入，包括利得稅和薪俸稅等，是政府的主要收入，並會撥作經常開支。
The Governments revenue is divided into two categories . One is the operating account with recurrent revenue including profits tax and salaries tax . It is the Governments main source of income which will be allocated to meeting recurrent expenditure
經常開支包括不少民生項目，例如醫療、教育、房屋、社會福利及政府其他運作，當然也包括一些環保工作；二是資本帳，主要來自賣地的收入。
Recurrent expenditure includes a number of livelihood items such as health care education housing social welfare and other operations of the Government . It certainly also includes environmental work . The other one is the capital account the revenue of which mainly comes from land sales
由賣地所得的收入，基本上要撥入基本工程儲備基金。
Basically revenue from land sales will be credited to CWRF
自回歸至今，我們發現基本工程儲備基金開始出現赤字。
We found that CWRF has started to record a deficit ever since the reunification
回顧過去20多年的資本帳或土地收入，從賣地所得收入撥入該帳目的數目，一直多於基本工程的基建開支。
Looking at the capital account or revenue from land sales in the past 20 - odd years we see that the amount of revenue from land sales credited to the account has all along exceeded the infrastructural expenditure on capital works
特別是在過去數年，自政府停止勾地政策後，我們的賣地收入一直飆升。
In particular in the past few years since the Government stopped the Application List policy our revenue from land sales has been surging
按照政府的預算，基本工程儲備基金未來6年將會出現赤字，這實在令人感到震驚。
According to the Governments estimates the next six years will see a deficit in CWRF . This is really shocking
過去賣地的收入明明已經遠超開支達2,000億元，為何基本工程儲備基金的開支未來竟會出現赤字，而當前的綠色債券又是否用以填補這個未來的赤字呢？
Revenue from land sales in the past has clearly far exceeded expenditure by 200 billion . Why will expenditure under CWRF entail a deficit in the future? . Will the present green bonds be used to make up for this future deficit?
近年的基本工程及大型項目，不論是高鐵、港珠澳大橋或蓮塘口岸，大體上全屬打通內地和香港交通的基建，而這些基建的開支的確驚人，且往往大幅超支。
All the capital works and large - scale projects in recent years be it XRL the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge or the Liantang Boundary Control Point are basically infrastructure connecting the Mainland with Hong Kong . The expenditure on such infrastructure is really shocking . What is more there are often huge cost overruns
事實上，過去兩年，我們已將經營收入撥入基本工程儲備基金，本來政府說是"河水不犯井水"的，但事實上政府已經開始撥錢。
If there is any debt it will be repaid with public coffers . In fact in the past two years we have already credited operating revenue to CWRF . Originally the Government said the river water would not impinge on the well water but in reality the Government has already started making the provision
主席，現正審議的《私營醫療機構條例草案》旨在就4類私營醫療機構，包括私家醫院、日間醫療中心、私家醫生診所及衞生服務機構，訂立新的規管制度，以加強對它們的監管及相關投訴的機制，增加收費透明度。
Chairman the Private Healthcare Facilities Bill the Bill under examination seeks to establish a new regulatory regime for four types of private healthcare facilities namely private hospitals day procedure centres private clinics and health services establishments in order to strengthen regulation and the relevant complaints mechanism as well as increase price transparency
這是好事，因為可以進一步保障病人權益，我對此表示支持。
It is a good measure to further protect patients rights and interests to which I express support
主席，我並非醫療問題的專家，亦不是相關法案委員會的委員，本來沒打算發言，但我看到張超雄議員未經法案委員會詳細討論便提出修正案，要求大幅增加長者護養院的法定最低人均樓面面積，我覺得難以接受。
Chairman I am neither an expert on health care issues nor a member of the Bills Committee concerned so I had no intention to speak originally . However I find it hard to accept that Dr Fernando CHEUNG proposed an amendment requesting a substantial increase of the minimum area of floor space per resident in nursing homes for elderly persons without prior discussions in detail by the Bills Committee
對於《條例草案》規定護養院院友的人均樓面面積不得少於6.5平方米而引起的爭議，當局現時建議刪除有關條文，我認為做法非常正確，所以我會支持局長的有關修正案。
In response to the controversy arising from the minimum area of floor space 6.5 sq m per nursing home resident provided in the Bill the Administration now proposes to delete the relevant clause . I think it is the right thing to do so I will support the Secretarys amendment
對於張超雄議員在未經法案委員會詳細討論、而在社會與護理安老業界亦未有共識的情況下，突然提出修正案，要求將有關人均樓面面積規定倍增至16平方米，而且如何計算有關面積的準則和規範亦不清晰，所以我認為這種做法並不合適。
Dr Fernando CHEUNG has proposed an amendment requesting a substantial increase of the minimum area of floor space concerned to 16 sq mall of a sudden without prior discussions in detail by the Bills Committee nor a consensus in society and the nursing homes sector . In addition the criteria and parameters for the calculation of such area are unclear . Hence I find his approach most inappropriate
增加護養院的人均樓面面積，讓在護養院居住的長者住得較寬敞，生活較舒適，我相信沒有人會反對，問題是可否立即做到？
I believe nobody will object to an increase of the area of floor space per nursing home resident so that elderly residents can live more comfortably in a more spacious environment . The question is whether it can be achieved immediately?
是否法例一經修改，護養院宿位就如日本卡通片"多啦A夢"的放大電筒般，按掣後會自動變大？
Will nursing home places expand automatically at the press of a button upon the amendment just like using the magnifying torch in the Japanese cartoon Doraemon?
根據政府的統計，張超雄議員的修訂若獲得通過，會有26間現有護養院不符合修訂後的規定，大約570名院友將被迫遷出，屆時誰可接收和照顧他們呢？
According to government statistics if the amendment of Dr Fernando CHEUNG is passed 26 existing nursing homes would fail to comply with the amended requirement and some 570 residents would have to be removed from those nursing homes . Who will receive and take care of them then?
我翻查資料，看到張超雄議員在今年8月說過，社會福利界並非要求一下子增加院舍的人均樓面面積，而是建議將來新建的院舍要有16平方米，舊的應增至9.5平方米，再慢慢逐步以自然流失的方式增加。
According to the information I have looked up Dr Fernando CHEUNG said in August this year that the social welfare sector was not requesting a sudden increase of the area of floor space per nursing home resident . Instead the sector suggested that the minimum area of floor space per resident in newly constructed homes should be 16 sq m while that in existing homes should increase to 9.5 sq m and the relevant area should increase gradually through natural wastage
不過，張議員昨天已經解釋為何事隔不足3個月便"轉軚"，要求透過修正案立即強制提高最低人均樓面面積，在此我不想再糾纏下去。
Nevertheless Dr CHEUNG explained yesterday the volte face in less than three months in requesting a compulsory and immediate increase of the minimum area of floor space per resident by means of an amendment . Yet I do not wish to argue this point here anymore
香港面對嚴峻的土地問題，不單興建居住房屋的土地不足，築橋、築路、興建學校、醫院，以至護養院和安老院等社福設施往往亦因為缺乏土地而難以實行，所以政府才提出發展新界東北，以至最 近"明日大嶼"填海造地計劃。
Hong Kong faces a severe land issue . Not only is there not enough land for housing the construction of bridges roads schools hospitals and social welfare facilities such as nursing homes and residential care homes for the elderly is often difficult to implement due to the lack of land . For this reason the Government has proposed the development of North East New Territories and recently the Lantau Tomorrow reclamation programme
但是，有議員一方面批評現有護養院過分擠迫，面積比監倉還小，指摘政府虐待長者，但另一方面又對政府提出各種覓地建屋的建議諸多阻撓，處處刁難，"拉布"反對，這樣是否自相矛盾呢？
However some Members on the one hand accuse the Government of elderly abuse as the existing nursing homes are overcrowded and the area of each place is smaller than a prison cell while on the other obstruct through filibustering various land identification and housing construction solutions proposed by the Government . Are they not contradicting themselves?