&
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
21
The Director of Audit's report is tabled in the Legislative Council in November. The committee then meets in public and the controlling officers of different heads of expenditure give evidence on the different aspects of public expenditure covered in the Director of Audit's report. The committee's report is laid on the table of the Legislative Council within three months of the laying of the Director of Audit's report. The government's response to the report of the committee is contained in the government minute, which describes the measures taken to give effect to the committee's recommendations or the reasons why acceptance of those recommendations is not considered appropriate. This minute is also laid on the table of the Legislative Council within three months of the laying of the Public Accounts Committee's report each year. In response to a recommendation made by the committee, the annual cycle of the Public Accounts Committee will, with effect from 1988, be split into two phases, each involving the examination of reports by the Director of Audit and a subsequent response by the committee.[ ] –
Select Committees
The Legislative Council may appoint select committees to consider matters or bills which the council may refer to the committee. The purpose is to enable a small group of members to examine a problem usually by the taking of evidence, and to report their findings and recommendations to the council. In recent years select committees have been appointed to consider such diverse subjects as the trial of complex commercial crimes and the future management of the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund. No select committee was appointed in the 1986-7 session.
OMELCO
OMELCO, which stands for Office of the Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, is the office of the members (other than official members) of the two councils. Members play a significant role in the administration of Hong Kong. They advise on formulation of and change to government policy; scrutinise, process and enact legislation; consider complaints from members of the public against government departments and agencies; control public expenditure; and monitor the effectiveness of public administration.
Through their work, members are involved in the major public issues. They study and comment on bills and major policy initiatives proposed by the government, taking into account the views of the public through members' contacts with various constituencies, district boards, as well as representations received from members of the community.
There are 21 specialist panels formed by members which regularly monitor the policy and progress of work of different areas of activity. These include constitutional affairs, economic services, education and manpower, environmental affairs, finance and monetary affairs, health and welfare, housing, lands and works, language, the public service, public relations, public utilities, trade and industry, recreation and culture, security, taxation and transport. Besides meeting among themselves, panel members hold sessions with senior government officials and interest groups to hear their views.
There is also an OMELCO group appointed by the Governor to monitor the handling of complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption. In addition, mem- bers serve on more than 200 committees and boards dealing with matters of public concern. Members also maintain regular informal contact with district boards. They keep in close touch with what is happening throughout the territory by regular visits to government departments and to the 19 districts. They obtain the latest information on development plans and the problems people face, and it is a result of these contacts and visits that many