TNAG-1439-FCO40-1923-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 76

(1) UNDERLINE NEXT TWO WORDS

FINANCE COMMITTEE THIS CONSISTS OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY (CHAIRMAN), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ONE OTHER OFFICIAL MEMBER, (AT PRESENT THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS) AND ALL 46 OF THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS. OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS ATTEND AS REQUIRED. IT MEETS IN PUBLIC TO SCRUTINISE PROPOSALS FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. ITS TWO SUB-COMMITTEES DEAL WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND ESTABLISHMENT (OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE).

(1) UNDERLINE NEXT THREE WORDS PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

THIS CONSISTS OF A CHAIRMAN AND SIX MEMBERS, ALL UNOFFICIALS.

T EXAMINES AND REPORTS ON THE FINDINGS IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT'S REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ANNUAL STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT AND ON ANY MATTER RELATING TO THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES AND THE EXERCISE OF HIS POWERS'' UNDER THE AUDIT ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 122).

''ON

(H) NUNDERLINE NEXT TWO WORDS SELECT COMMITTEES THESE MAY BE

APPOINTED TO CONSIDER AND REPORT UPON ISSUES AS DIRECTED BY THE PRESIDENCE ON A PROPOSAL BY A MEMBER OF COUNCIL. THERE ARE AT PRESENT TWO IN EXISTENCE: ONE ON COMPLEX COMMERCIAL CRIME AND ONE ON BENEFITS FOR FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR. UNTIL NOW, THIS FUNCTION HAS BEEN LARGELY CARRIED OUT BY (NEXT TWO WORDS UNDERLINED) AD HOC GROUPS OF MEMBERS OF LEGCO: AND IN PART BY THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (UMELCO) (SEE PARAGRAPH 19). AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SELECT COMMITTEES MAY BE EXPECTED IN FUTURE.

(1) AS DISTINCT FROM THEIR ACTIVITIES (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) QUA

UMELCO, THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO HAVE FORMED (NEXT TWO WORDS UNDERLINED) AD HOC GROUPS TO STUDY CURRENT POLICY ISSUES SUCH AS THE BROADCASTING REVIEW BOARD REPORT, THE WHITE PAPER ON THE DRAFT HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER, THE GREEN PAPER ON HOUSING SUBSIDY TO TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND SIMILAR SUBJECTS.

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (UMELCO) ACTIVITIES.

18. THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF BOTH COUNCILS (UMELCO) HAVE FOR MANY YEARS FUNCTIONED AS AN ENTITY. THEY HAVE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, THEIR OWN OFFICES AND STAFF, TO ASSIST THEM IN STUDYING COURSES OF ACTION PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND IN RECEIVING REPRESENTATIONS FROM PUBLIC GROUPS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.