TNAG-1230-FCO40-1543-Visit-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1983 — Page 172

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1.6 By taking part in the process of government, Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) play a significant role in the administration of Hong Kong. They advise on the formulation of government policies, participate in the enactment of legislation, consider complaints by members of the public against government departments and monitor the effectiveness of public administration. Unofficial members are selected by the Governor

from a wide spectrum of society and they hold more than 300 seats,

outside the two councils, on various committees and boards dealing

with public and community affairs.

1.7 There is a UMELCO Office, funded by the Government, to provide

research and administrative assistance to Unofficial members. The

UMELCO Office is also an established channel for the redress of

grievances, and it handles all public complaints, appeals and representations addressed to Unofficial members alleging official

maladministration. Under the UMELCO redress system, members have the right of access to government records and senior officials and

to challenge the established practices and policies of government

departments. When necessary they bring important issues to the

attention of either of the two councils.

1.8

Unofficial members spend much time studying all Government

Bills and any course of government action which is important or

controversial, or about which representations are received from

public bodies or from members of the public. The UMELCO Police Group, which consists of seven Unofficial members and the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints against the police. Similarly the ICAC Complaints Committee, comprising six Unofficial

members and the Attorney General, monitors the handling of

complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Various UMELCO panels meet regularly with senior government officials. Issues and policies of importance are discussed at these

meetings and may be debated and publicly questioned at meetings of

the Legislative Council.

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IN CONFIDENCE