CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
OMELCO
OMELCO stands for Office of the Members (other than official members) of the Executive and Legislative 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; 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 and district boards, as well as representations received from members of the community. Important issues which require the attention and endorsement of all members are discussed at fortnightly in-house meetings. There are 16 standing panels formed by members, which regularly monitor the policy and progress of work in different areas of activity. These include: community and New Territories affairs; constitutional development; recreation and culture; economic services and public utilities; education; environmental affairs; finance, taxation and monetary affairs; health services; housing; lands and works; man- power; public service; security; trade and industry; transport, and welfare services. Besides meeting among themselves, panel members hold sessions with senior government officials and interest groups to hear their views.
In addition to these standing panels, a number of special groups were set up in 1989 with the aim of ensuring a safe and secure future for the people of Hong Kong and of boosting confidence in the territory. These include the Working Group on Nationality whose task is to urge Britain to restore to British subjects in Hong Kong the right of abode in the United Kingdom, and the steering group to promote and strengthen Hong Kong as an inter- national city.
Members of the Legislative Council (other than official members) also formed a number of ad hoc groups during 1990 to study the important issues of the Bill of Rights Bill 1990; Chinese illegal immigrant workers in Hong Kong, and the financial implications of the government's plans to build a replacement airport and related infrastructural projects.
Members also maintain regular informal contact with district boards. They keep in close touch with what is happening throughout the territory by frequent visits to government departments and places of public concern, such as centres for Vietnamese boat people. They obtain the latest information on development plans and the problems people face, and it is as a result of these contacts that many of the questions in the Legislative Council are raised.
In April 1990, OMELCO established a London Office to assist members in establishing and developing closer links with officials, Members of Parliament, peers, organisations and individuals with an interest in Hong Kong, as well as the British media. The office advises OMELCO members on issues of interest in the United Kingdom.
OMELCO is also a channel through which the public may express grievances. Members deal with public representatives on government policy, appeals and complaints. Following the establishment in 1989 of an ombudsman, formally known as the Commisisoner for Administrative Complaints, complaints against government departments alleging mal- administration may be referred, if the complainant so requests, by a non-official member of the Legislative Council to the Commissioner for action.
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