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ensure that the funds requested are no more than is necessary for the execution of approved policy. officers reponsible for the services provided may be called to give evidence before the Committee.
The Finance Committee has two Sub-Committees. The Public Works Sub-Committee reviews the progress and priority of capital works in the Public Works Programme, and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee on proposals for necessary changes. The Establishment Sub-Committee examines staffing proposals for senior posts and for the creation of new ranks. or changes in salary scales in the Civil Service.
MONITORS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
The third constitutional role of the Council is to monitor the performance of
performance of the Administration. In this function it has three main instruments: the Public Accounts Committee, Question time and the power of debate.
The Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee consists of a Chairman and six members, all of whom are Unofficials appointed by the President. They examine and report on the Director of Audit's annual report to the Council on the accounts of the Government. In this the Director draws attention to instances where he considers that the taxpayers' money has
money has not been spent
not been spent prudently or with adequate regard for economy or spent for purposes other than those approved by the Council. The Committee's hearings are open to the public and the media and they provide an opportunity to seek from the responsible officials an answer to the criticisms raised in the Director's Report. Following these hearings the Committee submits its own report to the Council in which it suggests the lessons to be learnt and remedies for the future.
Both the public hearings and the Committee's subsequent report are the subject of intense public and media interest.
Question time
Regular meetings of the Council open with Question time, which affords Unofficial Members the opportunity publicly to question the Official Members of the Government on any aspect of life in Hong Kong.
The main questions for this occasion are put down in advance so that the Official Members may prepare
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