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Constitution and Administration
Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation
During the 2014-15 session, the House Committee formed 36 subcommittees to consider 78 items of subsidiary legislation/draft subsidiary legislation, one Technical Memorandum and three proposed resolutions presented by the government for the council's approval.
Other Subcommittees
The House Committee may also appoint subcommittees to assist its consideration of policy issues and any other council-related matters. During the 2014-15 session, it appointed three such subcommittees. Another three subcommittees appointed in the previous sessions continued in operation during the 2014-15 session.
Panels
The council has 18 panels to monitor and examine the government's policies and issues of public concern. These panels also give views on major legislative or financial proposals before their introduction into the council or its Finance Committee and examine relevant policy matters. Panels may appoint subcommittees or joint subcommittees to study specific issues. During the 2014-15 session, two such subcommittees completed their work while seven such subcommittees were still in operation by the end of the session. Three such subcommittees were set up and placed on the waiting list.
Select Committees
The council may appoint select committees to enable members to consider matters or bills. Select committees report to the council after they have completed their work. Based on the referral of a petition at the 25 June 2014 council meeting, a select committee was formed to inquire into a construction delay in the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. During the 2014-15 session, the committee held one open meeting, three closed meetings and six public hearings.
Redress System
The council operates a system which enables members of the public to seek help for redress of grievances resulting from government actions or policies. The redress system also deals with public representations on government policies and legislation as well as other matters of public concern. Members take turns, in groups of seven, to be on duty each week to oversee the redress system and to receive representations and complaints made by deputations. They also take turns to be on 'ward duty' at the Public Complaints Office during their duty week to meet individual complainants and give guidance to the office on the processing of cases.
The Legislative Council Commission and Legislative Council Secretariat
The Legislative Council Commission is a 13-member independent statutory body chaired by the President of the Legislative Council. Its main function is to provide administrative support and services to the council through the Legislative Council Secretariat. It employs the secretariat's staff and oversees its work, determines the organisation and administration of support services and facilities, formulates and executes policies on their effective operation, and expends funds in ways it sees fit to support these activities. The secretariat is headed by the Secretary General. Its mission is to provide the council and its committees with professional and
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