XN000022-1978-05-10 — Page 3

EDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1978

LEGCC APPROVES. CTION TO SET UP PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

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THE LEGISL 'TIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A MOTION TO AMEND STANDING ORDERS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMITTEE.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDC-CAVE SAID THE COMITTEE'S PRINCIPAL TASK WOULD BE T CONSIDER THE REPORTS CF THE CIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS RICH ALSO COVE" DISBURSEMENTS MADE THROUGH SUE- VERTED ORGANISATIONS.

IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE HAY, AT ITS DISCRETION, EXAMINE TWO OTHER TYPES OF REPORTS OF THE DIRECTOR OF ADUIT, MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID.

+THE FIRST ARE THOSE ON ACCOUNTS OF STATUTORY AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO DE LAID BEFORE THIS COUNCIL, JUCH AS REPORTS ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE UREAM COUNCIL, THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND SO ON AND A VARIETY OF PROVIDENT FUNDS, CHARITABLE TRUSTS AND ..ELFARE AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS.

+THE SECOND ARE THOSE RICH THE DIRECTOR OF ADUIT MAY MAKE, IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, UNDER SECTIONS 12 AND 13 OF THE AUDIT ORDINANCE. THESE REPORTS RELATE TO ANY SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES WHICH BAY COVE TO THE KOTICE OF THE DIRECTOR, WHICH HE MAY WISH TO DEAL WITH OUTSIDE THE CONTEXT OF HIS REPORT ON THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS.

SAID.

+REPORTS OF THIS TYPE ARE VERY RARE INDEED,+ MR. HADDON-CAVE

THE COMITTEE OULD CONSIST OF A CHAIRMAN AND SIX MEMBERS. UNOFFICIAL EMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THEY WILL BE NOMINATED BY THE GOVERNO.

ALL

THE COMMITTEE'S PRINCIPAL TASK WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE RATTERS REPORTED CI: EY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND CONSIDER HAT REMEDIAL ACTION HAS BEEN CR SHOULD DE TAKEN, AND THE CITTEE JOULD DE CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH PRINCIPLES AND SYSTE..S CT WITH DETAILS OR PERSONALITIES.

FF

TO GIVE THE COITTEE A SUITABLE DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IN THE CONDUCT OF 173 EUSINESS, R. HADDON-CAVE SAID, THE PROPOSED STANDING ORDERS OULD ERABLE THE COMITTEE TO REGULATE ITS OWN PROCEED 1.00, HICH HE ENVISAGED WOULD BE REASONABLY INFORMAL.

+IN OTHER MONDO. THE COMMITTEE WOULD NOT TAKE THE FORM OF A CONTTISE ION OF EN UI-Y T. JUDGE OF DISCIPLICE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS WHO WERE AT

LT OLG IT GET IOP TO KNOW WHAT ACTION,

YEASURED MAT BEEN TAKE TO PREVENT A

P

E SAIL.

CLUE G CICCIPLÍ

REPETITION OF THE FAULT. VOLVED,+

+

/UR. HADDON-CAVE .....