XN000022-1996-04-24 — Page 54

Reply:

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Mr President,

In making appointments to advisory boards and committees, and other bodies, Government seeks to secure the services of the best available persons to meet the requirements of the bodies concerned. The expertise, experience, integrity and commitment to public service of prospective appointees are carefully considered. Due regard is also given to the need to ensure a good balance of members in the body concerned. To achieve a reasonable turnover of membership, Government, as a general rule, tries to avoid re-appointing someone who has already served on the same committee for six years. In addition, to ensure a reasonable workload, Government normally does not appoint one person to sit on more than six committees at any one time. These are, however, general guidelines which may not be followed rigidly as some committees may find it necessary to retain the services of members who possess particular expertise and would provide continuity in the work of the committee concerned.

Recommendations to the Governor for appointments to advisory boards and committees, and other bodies are made by the relevant Policy Secretaries or Heads of Departments. Prospective candidates are selected in the light of the general criteria outlined above. In some cases, the individuals selected are already known to the concerned Branches and Departments. In others, they are nominated by professional bodies or other organisations in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions or established administrative practice. Where appropriate, suggestions are also sought from Home Affairs Branch and Home Affairs Department, in view of their close contacts with people from a wide cross-section of the community.

In recommending appointments, Government gives due consideration to the experience and background of people at the district level, including members of local groups such as District Boards. I can assure the Honourable Member that this practice will continue.

In

Policy Secretaries and Heads of Departments are responsible for the assessment of performance of members of the boards and committees under their purview. general, the performance of individual members is assessed against their contributions to discussions, their commitment to public service and the functions of the particular committees. It is not usual for us to terminate appointments prematurely. There is no record of any member of advisory boards and committees and other bodies whose term of service was terminated early on account of poor performance in the past three years. Any member who does not perform satisfactorily would normally not be recommended for re-appointment.

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