ENG-1980 — Page 323

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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

on the government's annual accounts, on other accounts required to be laid before the Legislative Council, and on any matter incidental to the performance of the director's duties. The main aim of the committee is to establish the circumstances surrounding the matters reported on by the Director of Audit and to consider if any remedial action is necessary.

UMELCO

The Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) perform significant roles in the administration of Hong Kong. They assist in the shaping of govern- ment policies, enact legislation, and bring about improvements in public administration. As leading members of the community they are knowledgeable on many aspects of both local and international affairs. In addition to membership of the two councils, they serve individually throughout the extensive network of government and community committees and boards that are so important in Hong Kong. Because of their extensive experience and local interests, their views carry considerable weight. Over recent years they have been selected from an increasingly wide spectrum of society.

The Unofficial Members are supported by the UMELCO Office which provides them with administrative services and, under their direction, handles complaints and representa- tions from the public on the whole range of government activities. Each year, hundreds of individual grievances or appeals against government decisions or proposed new legislation are dealt with and, where necessary, rectified. In carrying out this function, unofficial members have access to government files and senior officials and, when appropriate, may challenge established procedures and policies. Alternatively, they can escalate any issue which they think is sufficiently important by referring it to either of the two councils. A special UMELCO Police Group of unofficials, together with the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints by the Complaints Against the Police Office in the police force. An ICAC Complaints Committee similarly monitors complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

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Besides making regular and formal contributions to the Executive and Legislative Councils, unofficial members spend a great deal of time examining proposals for new policies, and also draft legislation in informal groups set up for this purpose. When neces- sary, these groups have thorough discussions with official representatives and representa- tives of public bodies. Public views are taken into account during these deliberations, which not infrequently result in amendments to proposed policies and legislation.

Besides holding periodic formal meetings with the heads of government policy branches and departments, a substantial amount of informal, day-to-day, contact takes place between unofficial members and government officials. During these contacts, views are exchanged on matters which are brought to their attention by members of the public.

Urban Council

The Urban Council is a body corporate and derives its authority from the Urban Council Ordinance. It is responsible for managing its own finances and is the only body taking part in the business of government in Hong Kong to consist solely of members of the public. The council meets in public once a month, but most of its business is decided by the standing committee of the whole council, nine select committees and 24 sub-committees, boards and panels.

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The Urban Council consists of 24 members 12 appointed by the Governor, and 12 elected. The term of office for both appointed and elected members is four years, but a