Borrison/hk-legicost huggingface dataset:
主席，我今早說過《議事規則》的原則和價值，其中非常重要的是其公平精神，以保障少數議員的權利。
President I talked about the principles and values of RoP this morning . One very important point is the spirit of equity which safeguards the rights and interests of minority Members
我今早亦指出，從少數議員的權利，可以看出民主派和保皇黨之間的分別，但難保他日會遇到其他議案，新民黨可能要聯同民主派提出一些關乎少數權利的議案。
I also pointed out this morning that we can tell the difference between the democratic camp and pro - establishment camp from the rights and interests of minority Members . But it is possible that one day some other motions will prompt the New Peoples Party to join force with the democratic camp to propose motions on the rights and interests of the minority
畢竟，即使保皇黨也有數個不同的政黨板塊，民主派亦然。
After all the pro - establishment camp is also made up of a few different political parties so is the democratic camp
事實上，民主派內部也會對不同同事的處事方法有不同的意見和看法，正如在"拉布"的問題上，民主黨的立場一直認為不應隨意動用"拉布"這個工具，只能用在社會和市民大眾都覺得非常有爭議的項目上，我們才會全力以赴，正如"一地兩檢"，我們有所擔心，對於接下來的《基本法》第二十三條立法，我們亦一定會全力以赴。
Actually democratic Members may also have different views and opinions towards the approaches adopted by different Members within the camp . For instance on the issue of filibustering the Democratic Party all along holds that we should only resort to this means when highly controversial issues concerning society and the public are at stake . Only when such issues are at stake will we filibuster at all costs such as the co - location issue and the upcoming legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law that we are concerned about
我們絕對不可以做這種事，原因是"今夕吾軀歸故土，他朝君體也相同"，大家也可能有這樣的一天，不知何時會出現，亦不知道今天所得到的獎賞、支持和支援是否千秋萬代。
As the saying goes My body turns to dust today and so will yours in the future . Everyone may run into this situation some days . We just do not know when nor do we know whether the prize support or assistance we get today can be everlasting
信心危機衍生的是"一國兩制"，用以作為回歸後的政治制度基礎。
This resulted in a confidence crisis . The confidence crisis eventually brought about the idea of one country two systems which formed the backbone of our constitutional system after the reunification
因此，《基本法》亦賦予大家不同的力量，包括在行政主導下仍然要面對立法會，向立法會匯報工作，讓立法會監察政府的施政，讓立法會有權否決政府提出的議案，作為監察工具，起着制衡政府的效果，令它不可肆無忌憚，推出不能讓香港社會信服的政策。
Hence we are vested with different powers under the Basic Law . Under an executive - led system the Government has to among others face and report to the Legislative Council and let the latter monitor its policies and have the power to vote down government motions . The Legislative Council acts as a monitoring tool to check and balance the Government and prevent it from rolling out policies that are unacceptable to Hong Kong people
這便是制衡的好處。
This is the advantage of checks and balances
當少數人的權利被大多數人剝奪時，在大多數人之中可能也會有部分人被挑選出來成為少數人，正如今天北京政府處理低端人口的做法，明天可能中端或高端人口亦會遭降格，其實你和我都不知道，你怎知道自己不會被降為低端人口呢？
When the minority is deprived of their rights and interests by the majority some Members in the majority side may become the minority just like the way Beijing Government downgraded some people into low - end population today and it may downgrade the middle - or high - end population as well the next day . Who knows? . You and I dont
你憑甚麼相信自己不會被處理呢？
How can you be sure that you will not be treated the same way?
你只能夠依賴制度，維護這個制度，就是"一國兩制"的核心，亦是令到公眾、社會仍然對香港抱有一絲幻想和希望的基礎。
The only thing you can do is to rely on and uphold this system which is the core of one country one system and also the foundation that makes the public and society as well retain a glimpse of dream and hope on Hong Kong
主席，《議事規則》的本質，說到底只不過是一個工具，希望能夠令議事暢順的工具。
President at the end of the day the very nature of RoP is but a tool a tool that enables the smooth conduct of Council businesses
通過今年兩次選舉及民意的反映，客觀上可看到過往一些非常意氣風發的激進朋友，似乎主導了議會整個話語權。
Objectively speaking the two elections this year and the opinion polls show that the right to discourse of this Council seems to be seized by those radical Members who used to behave in a spirited way
但是，隨着一些事情的發生，議會開始調整，本來這是最正常的，因為當選民的態度有所改變，議會的行事方式亦會跟着調整，這是最王道。
But this Council began to adjust its proceedings after some incident took place . This is just normal . When the attitude of the voters changes the way this Council conducts its businesses changes
因為大家都尊重民意的選擇，而這個民意選擇已反映在這個議事堂的議事過程。
This is the best statecraft because we all respect the choice chosen by the people and this chosen choice is reflected in the conduct of Council businesses
但是，他們沒有珍惜這個空間，反而在這個階段一定要修改《議事規則》。
But they do not treasure this leeway and choose to amend RoP at this stage
正如我所說，《議事規則》經修改後，他們今天以為自己是中端、高端人口，明天當他們被定義為低端人口的時候，便會發覺自己原來無處容身，沒有東西可作保護，屆時他們後悔也莫及。
As I said they think they belong to the middle - and high - end population today but only to find out the next day after introducing the amendments to RoP that they are classified as the low - end population . By then they will regret what they have done because they realize that they have no dwellings nor nothing to protect themselves
所以，當議會不能夠發揮監察政府的作用，也許建制派、保皇黨會說，他們都懂得監察政府，都懂得監督政府施政，只是不會採取民主派的做法。
So if this Council cannot perform its function to monitor the Government perhaps the pro - establishment camp or royalists will say that they can just that they will not adopt the democratic camps approach
我同意的，還記得八黨聯盟的時候，議會同事同心合力向政府提出意見，將議會的目標聚焦，我們想到方法解決社會民生的矛盾，然後迫政府做，我們成功了。
I agree . I still remember eight political parties did join force to express their views to the Government in the past . When all Council Members focused on the same goal and find out a solution to address a social or livelihood conflict we can successfully pressurize the Government to face the issue squarely
但是，我知道八黨聯盟之後，建制派、保皇黨的朋友可能被"照肺"，以致他們覺得以後也不可以再八黨聯盟，因為這樣做是違反《基本法》。
But as far as I know after that incident pro - establishment Members and royalists were asked to go and listen to instructions . They have not taken any similar actions ever since because doing so is against the Basic Law
《基本法》是以行政主導，怎可以由立法機關、由我們整班同事想出好辦法迫政府做事？
The Basic Law upholds an executive - led regime . How could the regime be dictated by the legislature and be forced by Members to adopt their proposal?
這不是他們的政治倫理嗎？
Isnt this their political ethics?
但是，我們的議員要向市民負責，我們面對的是這個問題。
But our Members are accountable to the people . We are now facing this problem
我們怎可能睜開雙眼，看着我們的公帑白白浪費？
How could we let public money be blatantly wasted?
看着高鐵超支、港珠澳大橋超支，我們也不聞不問或隨便問問，拍拍屁股了事？
How could we ignore or just casually scrutinize the cost overruns of the high speed rail and the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macao Bridge?
我們要記着，不是每一位同事都來自工程界，不是每一位同事都是盧偉國議員。
We must keep in mind the fact that not every Member comes from the engineering sector; and not every colleague is Ir Dr LO Wai - kwok . We come from different sectors and naturally we have different views
今天中央政府更表示，袁國強建議引用《基本法》第二十條也不可行，我們根本不知道可以用甚麼方法，而更令人擔心的是，這道"後門"會越開越大。
Today the Central Government even said no to Rimsky YUENs proposal of invoking Article 20 of the Basic Law . This arouses the concern that the backdoor will become even larger . We simply do not know what other actions to take
我們寧願付上代價，高鐵變慢鐵，也不想令"一國兩制"受到損害，這是價值問題。
We would rather pay the price of turning the high speed rail into a low speed rail than undermining the principle of one country two systems . This is a matter of values
但他們的看法是，以經濟效益先行，其他的不用多說， 香港是否"一國兩制"，不要緊，即使打開所有"後門"也好，他們能夠在短期內有利益，有效益的話，也應該盡量做。
But they put economic interests before anything . They care about nothing else not even the principle of one country two systems . They could not care less even if all backdoors are opened
失去了這些意義的香港要面對北京、上海、廣州的競爭，這些都是我們的競爭對手。如果我們這樣參加比賽的話，我們所面對的壓力，只會更加嚴峻。
Without these edges Hong Kong will have to face even greater pressure from Beijing Shanghai and Guangzhou . These are all our competitors
所以，我們說《議事規則》的改變，就是不可以讓這套改變，令立法會失去監察政府、制衡政府的能力，確保香港這核心價值得到守護，令"一國兩制"能夠在不走樣、不變形之下繼續沿用。
Hence when we talk about the changes made to RoP we are saying that we should not let these changes take away the power of the Legislative Council to monitor or check and balance the Government; we should ensure that this core value of Hong Kong is preserved so that one country two systems is continued to be adopted without any distortion or misrepresentation
主席，我謹此發言，亦呼籲建制派回頭事岸。
With these remarks President I urge the pro - establishment camp to turn around before it is too late
自特區成立以來，今屆是最多議員被取消資格的一屆，共有6位同事被"DQ"，當中有4名議員曾在這個會議廳共事9個月。
In the current - term Legislative Council a total of six colleagues have been disqualified or DQ the largest number of Members being disqualified since the establishment of the Special Administrative Region . We have worked with four of the DQ Members in this Chamber for nine months
當中雖有法律依據的，但不太合情合理，尤其是主席說他們的投票有效，某程度上，即是說他們過去9個月的工作有效，但卻"有汗出無糧出"。
This refund request while with the legal backing is not reasonable and justifiable . In particular the Presidents confirmation of the validity of the votes casted by DQ Members does somewhat acknowledge the work of the DQ Members in the Legislative Council over the past nine months
我提出這麼多有關議員被"DQ"的事情，並不是我想離題，正因有這麼多議員被"DQ"、失去地區直選界別的否決權，才會引發今次《議事規則》修訂的事件。
I have given a detailed account of the DQ incident not because I wish to digress from the subject matter but because the disqualification of so many Members and the democratic camps subsequent loss of the veto power in the geographical direct election group under the separate voting system is the trigger of the proposals to amend RoP
就此，請不要怪我不厭其煩地引述《基本法》賦予立法會議員的職權，其中很重要的一點，是監察政府施政，通過法案和審批政府開支等，過程均須詳細質詢和討論。
In this respect please bear with me for reiterating the powers and functions of Members under the Basic Law . Among others the main duties of Members are to monitor the Governments work approve bills as well as examine and approve Government expenditure . In the process Members have to raise questions and carry out discussion in detail
因此，《議事規則》需要給予議員充足時間暢所欲言地審議法案，不明白的便問至明白，同時指出不妥當之處，需要時間作出修訂、提出議案，這些是議員的權利，也是議員的天職。
Hence RoP needs to give Members sufficient time to freely debate on bills during the scrutiny . Members will have to seek clarifications from the Government for any ambiguities and point out deficiencies of the proposed bills . They will need time to put forward amendments to bills and to propose motions
至於"拉布"，其實並不是個別派別議員的專利，在我擔任立法會議員的這1年，我看到有議員"拉布"，但我同時看到當討論規管醫療儀器或修訂香煙健康忠告的覆蓋範圍的議案時，一些十分關心這數件事的業界代表，也十分齊心，並有技巧地"拉布"，希望在這個過程中，令政府作出一些讓步，而政府是讓了步的。
Indeed the filibuster tactic is not a monopoly of Members of a particular camp . In my first - year career as Member I have witnessed some Members employing the tactic of filibustering . Yet during the respective debates on the regulation of medical devices and the coverage of health warning for soft pack cigarettes I have also seen some other Members representing the relevant industries who are very concerned about the issues skilfully filibustering in their joint efforts to press for concessions from the Government
甚至我也明白在這個過程中，每一位議員正代表不同市民和選民的利益，我認為跟政府周旋是相當正常。
The Government eventually gave in . In the process I understand that different Members are actually representing the interests of different people and voters and I think it is just normal for us to negotiate with the Government for concession
泛民在地區直選得到最多選民的支持，不過因為制度問題，在立法會變成少數派。
Despite securing the support of the largest number of voters the pan - democrats are a minority in the Legislative Council under the existing mechanism
如果論人頭、計票數，他們會輸，他們知道就一些具爭議的法案和議題表決會輸的時候，"拉布"是他們唯一的選擇。
In terms of the number of headcounts or votes they are set to lose out in the voting . When they face some controversial bills or topics the pan - democrats can only resort to filibustering because they understand they will definitely lose out in the voting
若他們做得過分，固然會受到大家的批評，選民會批評他們，而且下次表決時，自然會作出選擇。
But if they go too far they will come under criticism by not only other Members but also the voters who will naturally take this into consideration in their choices in the next election
在某程度上，這是進一步限制議員提出議案的權力，也是頗具爭議性的做法。
Hence the amendments will further restrict Members power to propose motions to a certain degree and is thus rather controversial
事實上，《基本法》和《議事規則》已賦予不論是大會主席或委員會主席很大的權力，他可以限制議員的發言時間和次數。
Actually whether the President of the Council or chairman of any committee they are already given extensive powers under the Basic Law and RoP . They can limit the speaking time of Members and the number of times Members can speak as well
雖然被限制的一方可以提出抗議，但議員最終也會乖乖就範，否則，便會被趕出會議廳。
Although Members can dispute such decisions they have to yield to the orders finally; otherwise they will be expelled from the meeting rooms
少數一方通常是民主派，無論怎樣"拉布"，最終也無法阻止議案或法案通過。
No matter how they filibuster the democratic Members who are always a minority in the Council simply cannot thwart the passage of motions or bills
一旦主席認為拖延太久，其實也有很多尚方寶劍可以"剪布"，故沒有必要再透過修改《議事規則》限制議員的議政權力。
Should the Council President or any committee Chairman be impatient with the procrastination they have various kinds of imperial sword in hands to cut off the filibusters . Hence there is no need to amend RoP to restrict Members power of debating on policies
前立法會主席曾鈺成曾經在2012年和2013年，分別就遞補機制的議案和財政預算案辯論引用《議事規則》第92條"剪布"。
During the respective motion debates on the Replacement Mechanism and the Budget in 2012 and 2013 former President Jasper TSANG incited Rule 92 of RoP to cut off the filibusters
雖然他第一次"剪布"，被當屆議員梁國雄議員提出司法覆核，但終審法院裁定立法會主席有權對辯論設限和終止辯論，進一步確立主席的"剪布"權力。
In response to the cloture then Member Mr LEUNG Kwok - hung filed a judicial review but the Court of Final Appeal ruled that the President had the power to impose restrictions on and put an end to debates . The court ruling further establishes the power of the President to cut off filibusters
對於今次《議事規則》修訂的爭議，他表示不會有真正的贏家，並認為即使今次通過修訂，阻止"拉布"的作用亦非常有限。
When commented on the controversies over the current RoP amendments TSANG did not expect any real winner in the issue as the proposal if passed is of little use in stopping the pursuit of filibusters
另一位前主席黃宏發接受訪問時，從另一角度指出，如果是為了阻止"拉布"，根本無須作出任何修訂。
Another former President Andrew WONG took another perspective as he said in an interview that if it was for stopping filibusters there was actually no need to introduce amendments
他認為關鍵是立法會主席能否把握好主持會議的尺度、適當時候抓緊一些，尤其是對程序議案可嚴限發言時間，甚至即時劃線付諸表決。
According to him the crux is whether the President can use a proper yardstick for chairing Council meetings . The President has to take a tough line in some occasions especially in respect of procedural motions for which he can strictly limit Members speaking time or he can even draw the line and then put the motions to vote
他說關建不在於《議事規則》是否有漏洞，而是主席主持會議的尺度，這一點我非常同意，而且就我的觀察，今屆立法會主席主持會議的尺度較 以往為緊，是因應泛民議員"拉布"比以往頻繁。
In his view the crux is rather the yardstick of the President for chairing meetings than possible loopholes in RoP . I very much agree with this . I observe that when compared with his predecessors the President of this term has taken a tougher line in response to the more frequent filibustering of pan - democrats
換言之，主席現時控制會議有秩序進行的權力已經相當充分。
In other words the President already has sufficient power to ensure the orderly conduct of Council meetings
這次《議事規則》的修訂過程，也反映主席的權力相當大。
In the process of amending RoP this time we can also see how powerful the President is
我上次在內務委員會也曾經說過，降低立法會全體委員會會議的法定人數，由原來必須不少於全體議員的二分之一，修訂為包括主席在內的20人，其實有機會抵觸《基本法》第七十五條，秘書處亦就此曾作出過提醒。
As I pointed out in the last House Committee meeting the proposal to lower the quorum of a committee of the whole Council from not less than one half of all its members to 20 members including the Chairman might contravene Article 75 of the Basic Law
此外，政府當局以前也曾說過，任何違反《基本法》的事情都是沒有討論餘地的。
The Secretariat has indeed reminded us of the risk while the Government has also dismissed any room for discussion for issues in contravention with the Basic Law
此外，以下的一些修訂建議，例如立法會主席或立法會全體委員會主席，有權把他們認為同類或兩項的議案或修正案予以合併。
Here are some examples of proposed amendments to RoP . The President or the Chairman of a committee of the whole Council shall have the power to direct two motions or amendments considered by him to be cognate to be combined
例如就議員可無經預告動議一項委員會現即休會待續議案，現在卻修訂為如全體委員會主席認為是濫用程序，可決定不提出待議議題或無經辯論而把議題付諸表決。
Regarding the right of a Member to move without notice that further proceedings of the committee be now adjourned it is proposed to be amended as where the Chairman of a committee of the whole Council is of the opinion that this is an abuse of procedure he may decide not to propose the question or to put the question forthwith without debate
又例如立法會主席、全體委員會主席或任何委員會主席發覺有議員在辯論中不斷提出無關的事宜，或不斷重複本身或其他議員的論點，可於向立法會或委員會指出該議員的行為後，指示議員不得繼續發言。
Another example is the proposal that the President the Chairman of a committee of the whole Council or the chairman of any committee after having called the attention of the Council or the committee to the conduct of a Member who persists in irrelevance or repetition of his own or other Members arguments in the debate may direct him to discontinue his speech
此外，關於在提交呈請書後，議員站立支持的人數由20人增至全體議員的二分之一，才能交付內務委員會處理的修訂，以及在二讀法案時，議員提出一項可無經預告而動議的議案，修訂為在獲得立法會主席同意後才可提出的建議。
On the presentation of petitions in order for a petition to be referred to the House Committee we now need one half of all Members of the Council to rise in their places increased from 20 Members currently . In respect of Members right to move without notice a motion during the Second Reading of bills it is proposed that Members can do so only with the consent of the President
這些修訂其實是進一步增加主席的權力，或減少議員議政的權力，我是難以支持這些修訂的。
These amendments actually seek to further increase the power of the President or reduce the power of Members to debate on policies . I thus could not support these amendments
我在此再次重申，立法會的職責是監察政府施政，而不是配合政府的施政，限制議員議政權力等同削弱議員監察政府的能力。
I wish to reiterate here that the role of the Legislative Council is to monitor the Governments work not to coordinate with its governance . By restricting the power of Members to debate on policies the proposals precisely seek to undermine our ability to monitor the Government
況且，現時主席已有很大的實權，他有權在他認為有需要的情況下限制議員的發言和提案。
Under the current rules the President already had tremendous power in hands as he can ban Members from speaking or proposing motions wherever he deems necessary
如果有人想趁現在泛民失去部分議席而修改《議事規則》，即使贏了也會予人勝之不武的感覺。
If someone seeks to take advantage of the pan - democrats losing of some seats to amend RoP even though the RoP is successfully revised as proposed this is essentially inglorious
其實，兩邊陣營也曾嘗試一起討論，但是無法成事。
Actually the two camps once attempted to negotiate for a solution but the effort was in vain
事實上，在修改《議事規則》方面，最佳方法就是不同議員坐下來一起好好商量，達致某程度上的共識才修改，這才是上上之策。
I think the best way is for the two camps to sit down and fully discuss the matter and any amendments to RoP should be proposed only after they can reach some sort of consensus
如果這次強行修改《議事規則》，隨時只會令議會內各黨派更互不相讓，那麼這個議會又如何繼續運作下去呢？
The arbitrary amendments to RoP will only stifle any chance of compromise . How can the Council continue to operate under this circumstance?
對廣大市民又有甚麼好處呢？
What benefits the general public can get from this?
最後，其實我想引用兩位前主席的話，讓主席和議員也停一停，想一想。
To finish my speech I wish to quote the words of the two former Presidents . I hope the President and Members would stop for a while and consider their advices
前主席曾鈺成寄語"兩派開戰，雙方無所不用其極，不論有甚麼辯解理由，總是難看；到頭來議會運作不見改善，徒添兩派仇怨。
Former President Jasper TSANG has said Irrespective of how justifiable the reasons are it is just nasty to see the two camps engaging in a war of words with both parties using every means to win over . In the end the war can hardly improve the operation of the Council but only intensify the hostility between the two parties
這場仗，值得嗎？
Is it worthwhile to fight this war?
前主席黃宏發寄語"雙方都是立法會議員，如果雙方'文明地'繼續'玩下去'，需要大家都同意的《議事規則》，呼籲泛民建制心平氣和討論，但如果強勢一邊不讓步的話，事件永遠無法和解，少數派只能搞抗爭。
Andrew WONG also former President tried to convey this message If Members of the two camps wish to continue with the game in a civilized manner they need to work under a RoP which is agreeable to both parties . I call for Members of the pan - democratic and pro - establishment camps to calm down and negotiate for a solution . If those get the upper hand refuse to give in a resolution is impossible and the minority will then resort to resistance
議員可以同意也大可 不同意我的建議。
Members can either agree or not agree to my proposals
其實，如果能夠在議事規則委員會詳細討論這項修訂的話，說不定不難獲得議員接納。
Actually perhaps it was not difficult to get Members endorsement for these amendments if we were able to comprehensively discuss them at meetings of the Committee on Rules of Procedure
但是，在議事規則委員會裏面討論細節是怎樣，有沒有詳細辯論，究竟有關修訂是否合乎《議事規則》，合乎議會上大家達到的共識，就好像"擧"字一樣，可能未經過仔細討論，便已經提交了。
However as regards the detailed discussions held by the Committee and whether thorough debates were conducted or whether the amendments are in order or conform with the consensus reached in the Council we submitted all the proposals before we had a chance to really discuss these questions carefully . We dealt with my amendment in the same way as we handled the one relating to the word 擧
因為當時的主席，謝偉俊議員已經快刀斬亂麻，令討論除了關乎"擧"字的事宜，其他事項都沒有進入任何細緻討論，令《議事規則》的修訂只停留在，現在這個階段"霸王硬上弓"的情況。
It is because Mr Paul TSE the Chairman of the Committee then had hastily closed the discussion without permitting any meaningful deliberation on every other issues except those issues concerning the word 擧 . As a result the amendments to RoP are stuck in the stage which involves only the Governments unilateral push to bulldoze them through
主席，立法會歷史、規則和行事方法的參考手冊曾經表述過，是通過《議事規則》的原則和價值，其中一個很重要的原則就是，公平精神，以保障少數議員的權利。
President A Companion to the history rules and practices of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Companion illustrates the values and principles of RoP . One of the key principles is the spirit of fairness . This is essential to the protection of the rights of minority Members
今次的修訂，我們能否表述到公平呢？
Can we demonstrate any fairness in amending the RoP this time?
我舉一個例子，《議事規則》第20條，呈請書的安排，本來20位議員站立便可以成立專責委員會，現在要35位。
I quote one example . Under Rule 20 of the Rules of Procedure relating to the presentation of petitions currently we need no less than 20 Members to stand up in order to establish a select committee but 35 Members will be needed in future
換言之，除了議會的大多數之外，議會少數，基本上沒有可能提出呈請書這個安排，這樣是否已經違反了公平原則呢？
In other words only Members in the majority can invoke the Rule by presenting a petition and the minority Members in the Council are basically unable to do so . Has this not violated the principle of fairness?
提出呈請書只不過是花三五分鐘時間，便能令立法會成立一個調查機制。
The presentation of petition merely takes a few minutes time but it functions as an investigation mechanism of the Legislative Council
儘管這調查機制不能根據《立法會條例》享有額外權力去傳召證人，但它仍然讓議員透過成立專責委員會，進行調查，還原事件的情況，亦令政府不能夠迴避，接受市民和議會的質詢。
Despite lacking the extra authority to summon witnesses under the Legislative Council Ordinance this investigation mechanism still enables Members to investigate the incidents and try to retrieve the facts by setting up select committees thereby pressing the Government to face the questions raised by the people and the Council without dodging from them
連一隻無牙老虎也容不下，他們不願意讓少數議員可以通過呈請書的形式成立專責委員會，就着政府一些失職，或者失衡，即做得不妥當的事情，提出我們的意見。
They cannot accommodate even a toothless tiger so much so that they are unwilling to let the minority Members form a select committee by means of a petition to express our opinions on issues involving the Governments dereliction of duty or imbalance actions . I mean improper actions
所以，這項《議事規則》的修訂，客觀上能否體現到公平呢？
Therefore can such an amendment to RoP objectively demonstrate fairness?
抑或這項修訂的目的，只是要將《議事規則》變為為政府、行政當局的一艘護衞艦，確保政府提交予立法會的議案可以限時限刻地完成審議呢？
Or does this amendment simply intend to turn RoP into a convoy of the Government or the executive authorities so as to ensure the timely completion of scrutiny of all motions moved by the Government to the Legislative Council?
如果這就是修訂的目的，那麼立法會又怎能體現《基本法》第七十三條訂明監督政府的功能和天職呢？
If this is the purpose of this amendment then how can the Legislative Council discharge the function and mission to monitor the Government stipulated under Article 73 of the Basic Law?
我們是否需要這樣？
Do they really have to go so far?
我們是否需要弄到不能就着修訂的內容，進行協商和討論，以產生結果的地步呢？
Have things developed to a degree that we cannot even discuss and negotiate the contents of the amendments in a bid to reach an outcome?
主席，手冊內也提及另一宗歷史，當中所述："回歸後，議員之間的共識是，在可能的情況下，規管立法會工作的一般理念及原則須維持，而現行程序應維持不變。
President the Companion also mentions another piece of history . It reads After reunification there has been an understanding among Members that where possible the general philosophy and principles underlying the way Council business is conducted should be maintained and existing procedures should remain unchanged