TNAG-1440-FCO40-1924-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 69

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to

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(Full Craced only)

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Until

stage and is decided by a majority of votes. now, voting has been rare: Bills are amended by consensus before or at the committee stage, or rarely, withdrawn for further consideration. Bills which have passed the Council receive the assent of the Governor and are then published as ordinances.

(e) Questions: Questions are addressed by Unofficial members to the Government, on a wide range of issues either seeking information or asking for action. The Official members

on behalf of the

Administration.

to

answer

(f) Other Business: Other business includes items normal most legislatures, e.g. motions on subsidiary legislation, statements and debates on policy (including Green Papers and White Papers). Debates take place on a motion (in effect a statement of view or call for action by the Council), or on the adjournment (in effect a general statement of views by individual members). A complete record of all papers laid before the Council together with verbatim record of proceedings (Hansard) is maintained. Cust

- No

a

(g) Standing Committees: Two standing committees deal

with public expenditure:

pblichearings

(i) 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).

(ii) Public Accounts Committee: This consists of a Chairman and six members, all Unofficials. It 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).

(h) Select

Committees:

be appointed to as directed by the member of Council.

These may consider and report upon issues President on a proposal by a 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 ad hoc groups of members of LegCo: and in

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.

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