IN CONFIDENCE
1.6 By taking part in the process of government, Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) play a significant role in the administration of Hong Kong. They advise on the formulation of government policies, participate in the enactment of legislation, consider complaints by members of the public against government departments and monitor the effectiveness of public administration. Unofficial members are selected by the Governor from a wide spectrum of society and they hold more than 300 seats,
outside the two councils, on various committees and boards dealing
with public and community affairs.
1.7 There is a UMELCO Office, funded by the Government, to provide
research and administrative assistance to Unofficial members. The
UMELCO Office is also an established channel for the redress of
grievances, and it handles all public complaints, appeals and representations addressed to Unofficial members alleging official
maladministration. Under the UMELCO redress system, members have the right of access to government records and senior officials and to challenge the established practices and policies of government departments. When necessary they bring important issues to the
attention of either of the two councils.
1.8 Unofficial members spend much time studying all Government Bills and any course of government action which is important or controversial, or about which representations are received from public bodies or from members of the public. The UMELCO Police Group, which consists of seven Unofficial members and the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints against the police. Similarly the ICAC Complaints Committee, comprising six Unofficial members and the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Various UMELCO panels meet regularly with senior government officials. Issues and policies of importance are discussed at these meetings and may be debated and publicly questioned at meetings of the Legislative Council.
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IN CONFIDENCE