METHOD OF WORK
17. (*) MEETINGS
SECRET
LEGCO MEETS PUBLICLY FOR ONE HALF-DAY PER WEEK EXCEPT FOR SHORT
RECESSES AT CHRISTMAS AND CHINESE NEW YEAR AND A RECESS OF ABOUT TWO MONTHS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. MEMBERS MAY SPEAK IN ENGLISH
OR CANTONESE: SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION IS PROVIDED.
() PRESIDENT
THE GOVERNOR PRESIDES AT ALL SITTINGS OF COUNCIL, AND HIS CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL. IN HIS ABSENCE, A MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR (N PRACTICE THE CHIEF SECRETARY) PRESIDES. (MI) SENHOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER
A LEADING UNOFFICIAL S APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, THIS APPOINTMENT EXISTS BY CONVENTION: NOT BY SPECIFICATION IN STANDING ORDERS. HE OR SHE SHEPHERDS RATHER THAN LEADS LEGCO COLLEAGUES, AND DEALS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHIEF SECRETARY ON PULIC BUSINESS GENERALLY AS WELL
AS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND UMELCO CONTEXTS.
(4V) LEGISLATION
EXCEPT FOR RARE BILLS OF A PRIVATE, NON-POLICY NATURE, ALL BILLS ARE PRESENTED BY OFFICIAL MEMBERS, H.E. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ATTORNEY GENERAL OR SECRETARIES IN CHAGRE OF MAJOR PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS, ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTRATION. BILLS ARE SUBJECT TO THREE READINGS AND A COMMITTEE STAGE. THE QUESTION
KS PUT AT EACH STAGE AND IS DECIDED BY A MAJORITY OF VOTES. (UNTIL NOW, VOTING HAS BEEN RARE: BILLS ARE AMENDED BY CONSENSUS BEFORE OR AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, OR RARELY, WITHDRAWN.) BILLS WHICH HAVE PASSED THE COUNCIL RECEIVE THE ASSENT OF THE GOVERNOR AND ARE THEN
PUBLISHED AS ORDINANCES.
(V) QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS ARE ADDRESSED BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE GOVERNMENT,
> ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES ENTHER SEEKING INFORMATION OR ASKING
FOR ACTION. THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS ANSWER ON BEHALF OF THE ADMINISTR-
ATHON.
(VIN) OTHER BUSINESS
OTHER BUSINESS INCLUDES #TEMS NORMAL TO MOST LEGISLATURES,
E.G. MOTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATHON, STATEMENTS AND DEBATES
ON POLICY (INCLUDING GREEN PAPERS AND WHITE PAPERS). DEBATES TAKE PLACE ON A MOTION, OR ON THE ADJOURNMENT. A COMPLETE RECORD OF ALL PAPERS LAND BEFORE THE COUNCIL TOGETHER WITH A VERBATIM RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS (HANSARD) IS MAINTAINED.
(VIP) STANDING COMMITTEES
TWO STANDING COMMITTEES DEAL WITH PUBLIC EXPENDITURE:
A) FANANCE COMMITTEE
THIS CONSISTS OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY (CHARMAN), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ONE OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBER, (AT PRESENT THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS) AND ALL 46 OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, OTHER SENIOR UNOFFICIALS ATTEND AS REQUIRED. T MEETS IN PUBLIC TO SCRUTINISE PROPOSALS FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
B) PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
THIS CONSISTS OF A CHAIRMAN AND SIX MEMBERS, ALL UNOFFICIALS. T EXAMINES AND REPORTS ON THE FINDINGS IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDINT'S REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNUAL STATEMENTS
OF ACCOUNT AND ''ON ANY MATTER RELATING TO THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES AND THE EXERCISE OF HIS POWERS' UNDER THE AUDIT ORDINANCE.
-4-
SECRET
/c)