CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
to the structure of civil service grades and ranks. From July to December, the subcommittee's 23 members held five meetings and examined 16 items of proposals put forward by the administration.
The Public Works Subcommittee examines and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee on the government's expenditure proposals under the Capital Works Reserve Fund for projects in the public works programme and building projects carried out by or on behalf of subvented organisations. From July to December, its 29 members held 10 meetings and examined 52 proposals put forward by the administration.
Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) considers reports of the Director of Audit on the accounts and the results of value-for-money audits of government and other organisations which are within the purview of public audit. It may invite government officials and staff of public organisations to attend public hearings to give explanation, evidence or information, or any other persons to assist it in relation to such explanation, evidence or information. The PAC's seven members are elected in accordance with an election procedure determined by the House Committee and are appointed by the President of the Council.
Committee on Members' Interests
The Committee on Members' Interests considers matters pertaining to members' declarations of interests and matters of ethics in relation to their conduct. It investigates complaints regarding members' registration and declaration of interests, and makes recommendations relating to councillors' interests. It examines arrangements for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members' Interests. The committee's seven members are elected in accordance with an election procedure determined by the House Committee and are appointed by the President of the Council.
House Committee
The House Committee consists of all members except the President. Its Chairman and Deputy Chairman are elected by the members. It normally meets every Friday afternoon and is responsible for dealing with matters related to the work of the Legislative Council and preparing members for the full council meetings. It also decides whether bills committees or subcommittees should be formed as appropriate to study bills and subsidiary legislation which have been introduced into the Legislative Council.
Committee on Rules of Procedure
The Committee on Rules of Procedure is responsible for reviewing the council's Rules of Procedure and proposing such amendments as are considered necessary. It has 12 members who are elected in accordance with an election procedure determined by the House Committee and are appointed by the President of the Council. Between July and December, it held 16 meetings to examine, inter alia, the procedural arrangements for the relieving of a member's duty and for implementing certain provisions under the Basic Law.
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