6 | Constitution and Administration
Bills Committees
Any member, other than the President, may join a bills committee formed by the House Committee to consider the general merits and principles of a bill allocated for scrutiny. A bills committee may also consider the detailed provisions of and amendments to the bill. It usually tables a report in council and is dissolved on the passage of the bill or when the House Committee so decides. During the 2005-06 session, the Legislative Council set up nine bills committees to scrutinise bills introduced into the council, namely the Chief Executive Election and Legislative Council Election (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2006, Interception of Communications and Surveillance Bill, Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2006, Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2006, Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel Bill, Hazardous Chemicals Control Bill, Rail Merger Bill, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2006 and Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill. A total of 26 bills committees, including those carried forward from the previous session, were in operation during the 2005-06 session.
Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation
During the 2005-06 session, the House Committee formed 14 subcommittees to consider 20 items of subsidiary legislation, and three proposed resolutions presented by the Government for the council's approval.
Other Subcommittees
The House Committee may also appoint subcommittees to assist in the consideration of any other matters relating to the business of the council. Three such subcommittees were appointed during the 2005-06 session.
Panels
The Legislative Council has established 18 panels to monitor and examine the Government's policies and issues of public concern that relate to their respective policy areas. These panels also give views on major legislative or financial proposals before their introduction into the Legislative Council or the Finance Committee and examine relevant policy matters referred to them.
Select Committees
The Legislative Council may appoint select committees to enable members to consider particular matters or bills. Select committees report to the council after they have completed consideration of such matters. No select committee was appointed during the report period.
Redress System
The Legislative Council operates a redress system under which members of the public may seek assistance for redressing any grievance resulting from government actions or policies, and lodge complaints against government departments and other organisations. The redress system operates on a weekly roster with groups of six members taking turns to receive and handle complaints and representations from the public. They also take turns to be on 'ward duty' during their duty week to meet individual complainants and give guidance to staff in processing cases.