ENG-2001 — Page 45

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Executive's Policy Address in October, with a view to making the debate more structured and focused.

Bills Committees

Any member, other than the President, may join a bills committee formed by the House Committee to consider the principles and merits of a bill allocated to it for scrutiny. It may also consider the detailed provisions of the bill and propose amendments relevant to the bill. A bills committee usually tables a report in council after it has completed its task. It is dissolved on the passage of the bill concerned through the Legislative Council or when the House Committee so decides. During the 2000-2001 session, the Legislative Council set up 41 bills committees to scrutinise bills introduced into the council, including the Banking (Amendment) Bill 2000, Chief Executive Election Bill, Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Bill 2001, Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) Bill, Gambling (Amendment) Bill 2000, and the Securities and Futures Bill.

Panels

The Legislative Council has established 18 panels to monitor and examine the Government's policies. These panels also give views on major legislative or financial proposals before their introduction into the Legislative Council or the Finance Committee, and examine important issues of wide public concern referred to them.

Select Committee

The Legislative Council may appoint select committees to enable members to consider matters

matters in depth. Select committees report their findings and recommendations to the council after they have completed their consideration of such

matters.

In response to public concern over the quality of public housing, the Legislative Council appointed a select committee on February 7 to inquire into the matter.

Redress System

The Legislative Council operates a redress system under which members of the public can seek assistance for any grievance resulting from implementation of government actions or policies and lodge complaints against government departments and other organisations. The redress system operates on a weekly roster with groups of six council members taking turns to receive and handle complaints and representations from the public. 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 other members. The commission's 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.

9

Page 45Page 46