TNAG-1360-FCO40-1806-Procedural-changes-in-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 31

Membership

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The Chief Secretary is the Chairman. The members comprise the Financial Secretary, one other nominated Official Member (by convention the Secretary for Lands and Works) and all the Unofficial Members.

Functions

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Its main function is to approve changes to the approved estimates of expenditure (e.g. supplementary provision, increase in commitment, new commitments) under section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance (Chapter 2). The Committee may also be asked to accept financial implications of new proposals.

Meetings

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The committee normally meets fortnightly after the meeting of the Legislative Council. In addition, it holds special meetings each year between the first and second budget sittings to examine the draft estimates of expenditure for the following financial year.

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From March 1985 all regular meetings will be open to the public except

except where otherwise directed by the

committee.

Issue of papers

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Finance Committee agenda items are normally despatched to Members by Finance Branch two weekends before the day of the meeting at which they are to be considered. Urgent items

items that cannot wait for the next meeting may exceptionally be issued one weekend before the meeting.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

Introduction

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was established by resolution of the Legislative Council on 10 May 1978. Like the Finance Committee, it is a standing

committee of the Council.