Constitution and Administration 15
Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee considers reports of the Director of Audit on the accounts of the Government and the results of his value-for-money audits of government departments and other organisations that are within the purview of public audit. It may invite government officials and public organisations or any other persons to attend public hearings to give explanations, evidence or information. The seven members of the committee are appointed by the President of the Legislative Council in accordance with the election procedure determined by the council's House Committee.
During the session under review, the committee examined the Director of Audit's Report on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended March 31, 2004 and the Reports on the Results of Value-for-Money Audits (Reports Nos. 43 and 44). The committee held 14 public hearings and 33 internal meetings during the period. The conclusions and recommendations of the committee are contained in the committee's Reports Nos. 43 and 44, which were tabled in the Legislative Council on February 23, 2005 and July 6, 2005 respectively.
Committee on Members' Interests
The Committee on Members' Interests comprises seven members who are appointed by the President of the Legislative Council in accordance with the election procedure determined by the council's House Committee. It considers matters pertaining to the declaration of interests and matters of ethics in relation to the conduct of members of the Legislative Council. It is also empowered to consider and investigate complaints regarding members' registration and declaration of interests, and make recommendations to the council relating to matters concerning members' interests.
The committee examines arrangements for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members' Interests. During the period under review, the committee held 17 closed meetings to consider a member's failure to furnish to the Clerk to the Legislative Council particulars of his registrable interests under Rule 83 of the Rules of Procedure between July 1, 1998 and August 25, 2004. The committee submitted its report to the council at the meeting on March 9, 2005. The committee also held four open meetings during the period under review.
House Committee
The House Committee, which consists of all members except the President, elects its Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. The committee normally meets on Friday afternoons and is responsible for dealing with matters related to the work of the Legislative Council and preparing members for council meetings. It decides whether bills committees or subcommittees should be formed to scrutinise bills and subsidiary legislation. During the 2004-2005 session, the House Committee held 35 regular meetings.
The House Committee also holds special meetings to discuss issues of public concern. During the session under review, it held three special meetings to discuss issues of public concern with the Chief Secretary for Administration attending.