ENG-1999 — Page 39

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Panels

The Legislative Council has established 17 panels to monitor and examine government policies. These panels also give views on major legislative or financial proposals before their introduction into the council or Finance Committee, and examine important issues of wide public concern referred to it by the council, House Committee or as raised by the panel members themselves.

Select Committee

The Legislative Council may appoint select committees to consider matters or bills in depth. Select committees report their findings and recommendations to the council after they have completed their consideration of the matter or bill. On July 29, 1998, the council resolved to appoint a select committee to inquire into the circumstances leading to the problems surrounding the commencement of the operation of the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok since July 6, 1998 and related issues. The select committee visited the airport, held 65 meetings and 31 public hearings, and reported its findings to the council on January 27.

Redress System

The Legislative Council operates a redress system under which members of the public can seek assistance for any grievance resulting from the implementation of government actions or policies and lodge complaints against government departments. The redress system operates on a weekly roster with groups of six members of the Legislative Council taking turns to receive public petitions and representations. They also take turns to be on 'ward duty' during their duty week to meet individual complainants and to give guidance to staff in processing cases.

The Legislative Council Commission and Secretariat

The Legislative Council Commission is a statutory body independent of the Government. It is chaired by the President of the Legislative Council and consists of 12 members. Its main function is to provide support and services to the Legislative Council through the Legislative Council Secretariat. It is empowered to employ staff of the Legislative Council Secretariat and oversee its work, determine the organisation and administration of support services and facilities, formulate and execute policies on their effective operation and expend funds in ways it sees fit to support these activities.

The Legislative Council Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General. It provides support services to the Legislative Council through:

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servicing meetings of the Legislative Council and its committees including legal and research services;

facilitating communication with and among members in relation to the business of the Legislative Council;

› collating public views on the business of the Legislative Council; and

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promoting public understanding of the work of the Legislative Council.

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