8 8
(iv) Public Accounts Committee
22.
One further development in this
this Council which I
should like to mention is the decision by the Public Accounts Committee, one of the Council's two Standing Committees, to hold its hearings of evidence in public. The Public Accounts Committee, despite its relatively short history, has rapidly become one of the most important bodies in the administration of Hong Kong, with the responsibility of satisfying itself on both the validity of the observations made in the Director of Audit's Report and the adequacy of the efforts of the civil service to correct any failings disclosed in it. This is a heavy responsibility in an area of keen public interest, and
I am well aware
aware of the burden of work which the members of the Committee take upon themselves in their determination to discharge this responsibility thoroughly. It is greatly to their credit that they should have decided that the interests.
of
that
should they
hold open hearings. In this way the public can know the content of these examinations, and be satisfied that their interests. taxpayers are properly protected.
open
government
require
(c) Local Administration
23.
Meanwhile the development of
government
at
regional and district level
representative
is progressing
steadily.
(i) District Boards
24.
term
next
a
fine
first
of
District Boards are due
to complete their
of office
record They have year. achievement in their first three years. District Board members have worked hard and effectively to improve the living environment of their districts; they have given much detailed and constructive advice on district problems of all kinds; and have become an
an important, indeed essential,
part of the political life of our community.
/25. In
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