ENG-1997 — Page 46

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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Under the terms of its establishment, the PLC shall cease to operate after the first Legislative Council of the HKSAR is formed but, in any case, its term shall not extend beyond June 30, 1998. The election for the first Legislative Council of the HKSAR will be held on May 24 and its term of office shall commence on July 1, 1998. It will have 60 members: 30 from functional constituencies, each representing an economic, social, professional or other sector of the community; 20 returned by geographical constituencies which cover the whole SAR; and 10 elected by the Election Committee comprising 800 elected representatives of the community. Legislative Councillors shall elect one of their fellow members as President.

Committee System

Through a system of committees, PLC members perform the important roles of scrutinising bills, controlling public expenditure, and monitoring the government's performance. The PLC has three standing committees: the Finance Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and Committee on Members' Interests. The PLC also has a House Committee and 18 panels.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is composed of all PLC members, except the President. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are elected from among its members. It scrutinises and approves public expenditure proposals presented by the Administration.

There are two subcommittees under the Finance Committee: the Establishment Subcommittee and

and the Public Works Subcommittee. The Establishment Subcommittee examines and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee on the government's proposals for the creation, redeployment, and deletion of directorate posts, the creation of directorate-level consultancy positions for periods lasting more than 12 months, and for changes to the structure of civil service grades and ranks. The Public Works Subcommittee examines and makes recommendations to the Finance Committee on the government's expenditure proposals under the Capital Works Reserve Fund for projects in the public works programme and building projects carried out by or on behalf of subvented organisations.

Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) considers reports of the Director of Audit on the accounts and the results of value-for-money audits of government and other organisations which are within the purview of public audit. It may invite government officials or members or employees of public organisations to attend public hearings to give explanations and information, or any other person to assist it in relation to such explanation or information if deemed necessary. The PAC's seven members are appointed by the PLC President.

Committee on Members' Interests

The Committee on Members' Interests considers matters pertaining to members' declaration of interests and matters of ethics in relation to their conduct, investigates complaints regarding members' registration and declaration of interests, and makes recommendations relating to members' interests. Furthermore, it examines arrangements for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of