ENG-1982 — Page 338

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Public Accounts Committee

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The Public Accounts Committee, established by resolution of the Legislative Council on May 10, 1978, is a standing committee of the Legislative Council consisting of a chairman and six members, all of whom are unofficial members of the council. Its main function is to examine and report on the findings in the Director of Audit's report on the audit of the government's annual statements of account prepared by the Director of Accounting Services, and on any matter relating to the performance of his duties and the exercise of his powers' under the Audit Ordinance. The prime concerns of the committee are to see that public expenditure has not been incurred for purposes other than those for which the money was granted; that full value has been obtained for the sums expended; and that the administration has not been faulty or negligent in its conduct of financial affairs.

The committee's report, which includes details of the evidence given to it by controlling officers of different heads of expenditure and other witnesses, is laid on the table of the Legislative Council together with the Director of Audit's report in January each year. Both reports then become public documents, and are sent to the Secretary of State. The government's response to the report of the committee is contained in a government minute which describes the measures taken to give effect to the committee's recommendations or, in relevant cases, the reasons why acceptance of those recommendations is not considered appropriate. This minute is also laid on the table of the Legislative Council, within three months following the laying of the Public Accounts Committee's report each year.

UMELCO

By taking part in the process of government, Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UMELCO) play a significant role in the administration of Hong Kong. They advise on the formulation of government policies, participate in the enact- ment of legislation, consider complaints by members of the public against government departments and monitor the effectiveness of public administration. Unofficial members are selected by the Governor from a wide spectrum of society and they hold more than 300 seats, outside the two councils, on various committees and boards dealing with public and community affairs.

There is a UMELCO Office, funded by the government, to provide research and adminis- trative assistance to unofficial members. The UMELCO Office is also an established channel for the redress of grievances, and it handles all public complaints, appeals and representations addressed to unofficial members alleging official maladministration. Under the UMELCO redress system, members have the right of access to government records and senior officials and to challenge the established practices and policies of government departments. When necessary they bring important issues to the attention of either of the two councils.

Unofficial members spend much time studying all Bills and any course of government action which is important or controversial, or about which representations are received from public bodies or from members of the public. The UMELCO Police Group, which consists of seven unofficial members and the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints against the police. Similarly the ICAC Complaints Committee, comprising six unofficial members and the Attorney General, monitors the handling of complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Various UMELCO panels meet regularly with senior government officials. Issues and policies of importance are discussed at these meetings and may be debated and publicly questioned at meetings of the Legislative Council.