ENG-1993 — Page 39

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

for scrutiny, as well as the detailed provisions of the bill. In addition, it may consider any amendments relevant to the bill. A Bills Committee may also appoint sub-committees for the purpose of assisting it in the performance of its functions. Sittings of Bills Committees and their sub-committees are normally held in public.

After a Bills Committee has completed scrutiny of a bill, it makes its reports to the House Committee. A Bills Committee is dissolved on the enactment of the bill it has considered, or as decided by the House Committee.

Panels

The Legislative Council has set up 18 panels to examine and monitor government policy

matters.

The panels cover community and New Territories affairs; constitutional development; economic services and public utilities; education; environmental affairs; finance, taxation and monetary affairs; health services; housing; information policy; lands and works; administration of justice and legal services; manpower; public service; recreation and culture; security; trade and industry; transport and welfare services.

Council members, other than the President and ex officio members, may join any of the panels. The chairman and deputy chairman of a panel are elected from among its members. Besides meeting among themselves, panel members hold sessions with senior government officials and interest groups to hear their views.

A panel may form sub-committees to study specific issues and to report to it. Sittings of panels and their sub-committees are normally held in public.

Select Committees

The Legislative Council may appoint select committees to consider matters or bills in depth. The purpose is to enable small groups of members to examine complex problems and to report their findings and recommendations to the council. In 1993, no select committee was formed.

OMLEGCO

OMLEGCO stands for the Office of the (non-government) Members of the Legislative Council.

Before October 1992, the office was called OMELCO (Office of the (non-government) Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils), serving, among other things, as a link between the members of the two councils. With the withdrawal of members of the Executive Council, following the separation of the non-government membership of the two bodies, OMLEGCO continues to play a role in facilitating communication between members of the Legislative Council and Executive Council, as well as the community.

Collectively, the non-government members of the Legislative Council play a significant role in the administration of Hong Kong. They scrutinise, process and enact legislation; approve public expenditure; monitor the effectiveness of public administration; and consider complaints and representations from members of the public.

In 1993, OMLEGCO continued with the process of developing a formal committee system for the Legislative Council, to facilitate the efficient transaction of council business. The House Committee, Bills Committees and panels are now formal committees of the council.

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