ENG-2006 — Page 33

Constitution and Administration 15

During the 2005-06 session, the committee examined the Director of Audit's Report on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended March 31, 2005 and the Reports on the Results of Value-for-Money Audits (Reports Nos. 45 and 46). The committee held 12 public hearings and 40 internal meetings during the period. The conclusions and recommendations of the committee are contained in the committee's Reports Nos. 45 and 46, which were tabled in the Legislative Council on February 15, 2006 and July 12, 2006 respectively.

Committee on Members' Interests

The Committee on Members' Interests comprises seven members who are appointed by the President of the Legislative Council in accordance with the election procedure determined by the council's House Committee. It considers matters. pertaining to the declaration of interests, such as the arrangements for the compilation, maintenance and accessibility of the Register of Members' Interests, and matters of ethics in relation to the conduct of members of the Legislative Council. It is also empowered to consider and investigate complaints regarding members' registration and declaration of interests, and make recommendations to the council relating to matters concerning members' interests.

During the 2005-06 session, the committee held seven meetings to review the registration requirements for remunerated directorships and consider a proposal for the committee to take up the additional responsibility for handling complaints relating to members' operating expenses reimbursement claims and applications for advance of operating expenses. A motion to amend the Rules of Procedure to implement the proposal was moved and passed at the council meeting held on July 5, 2006. The committee also made consequential amendments to its procedure for handling complaints.

House Committee

The House Committee, which consists of all members except the President, elects its Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. The committee normally meets on Friday afternoons and is responsible for dealing with matters related to the work of the Legislative Council and preparing members for council meetings. It decides whether bills committees or subcommittees should be formed to scrutinise bills and subsidiary legislation. During the 2005-06 session, the House Committee held 32 regular meetings.

Committee on Rules of Procedure

The Committee on Rules of Procedure is responsible for reviewing the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council and its committees, and proposing to the council such amendments or changes as are considered necessary. The committee consists of 12 members who are appointed by the President of the Legislative Council in accordance with the election procedure determined by the council's House Committee. During the report period, the committee held five meetings.