4 Constitution and Administration
legislation were tabled in the Council for consideration through the negative vetting procedure. The scrutiny of 167 items was completed, with nine amended by the Council through the passage of motions moved by the Government. The 25 resolutions moved by the Government through the positive vetting procedure to either make new or amend existing subsidiary legislation, were all passed by the Council. Apart from those relating to subsidiary legislation, motions may be moved by members to exercise the Council's power under the Basic Law, to amend the Council's Rules of Procedure, or to invoke the Council's powers under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance. During the report period, the Council passed a motion to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the handling of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak by the Government and the Hospital Authority, and to authorise the Select Committee to order the attendance of witnesses and production of documents in the performance of duties. The Council debated 59 motions moved by members on issues concerning public interests. One adjournment debate was moved by a member to allow members to express opinions on an issue concerning public interests, with a view to eliciting a reply from the Government.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee consists of all Members of the Legislative Council except the President. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Committee are elected from among its members. The Committee normally meets in public on Friday. afternoons to scrutinise and approve public expenditure proposals put forward by the Government. Its work includes the scrutiny of the annual Budget presented by the Financial Secretary during proceedings related to the Appropriation Bill, which sets out the Government's annual expenditure proposals for the following financial year. During the 2003-2004 session, the Committee held 14 meetings and examined 52 financial proposals.
There are two subcommittees under the Finance Committee: the Establishment Subcommittee and the Public Works Subcommittee, both of which also conduct meetings in public. Their respective memberships are open to all members of the Finance Committee.
The Establishment Subcommittee examines and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee on the Government's proposals for the creation, redeployment and deletion of directorate posts, and for changes to the structure of grades and ranks in the Civil Service. During the 2003-2004 session, the Subcommittee held six meetings and examined 16 proposals put forward by the Government.
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. During the 2003-2004 session, the Subcommittee held 12 meetings and examined 58 proposals, covering 62 projects and the Block Allocations for 2004-2005, put forward by the Government.
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