ENG-2007 — Page 36

4 Constitution and Administration

next session. In addition, the council completed the scrutiny of 16 items of subsidiary legislation, which had been tabled in the previous session. One technical memorandum was tabled in the council for scrutiny and was amended by resolution of the council. The Government proposed 21 motions through the positive vetting procedure to either make new or amend existing subsidiary legislation, and all were passed by the council.

Apart from those relating to subsidiary legislation, two motions to amend the Rules of Procedure and one motion to amend the names and terms of reference of a number of panels in the light of the re-organisation of the Government Secretariat were passed. The council also debated 55 members' motions not intended to have legislative effect. In addition, an adjournment debate was held for the purpose of discussing an issue of urgent public importance.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee consists of all members of the Legislative Council except the President. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the committee are elected from among its members. The committee normally meets in public on Friday afternoons to scrutinise and approve public expenditure proposals put forward by the Government. Its work includes the scrutiny of the annual Budget presented by the Financial Secretary to the Legislative Council during the proceedings related to the Appropriation Bill, which sets out the Government's annual expenditure proposals for the following financial year. During the 2006-2007 session, the committee held 24 meetings and examined 52 financial proposals.

There are two subcommittees under the Finance Committee: the Establishment Subcommittee and the Public Works Subcommittee, which also conduct meetings in public. Membership of both is open to all members of the Finance Committee.

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, and for changes to the structure of grades and ranks in the Civil Service. During the 2006-2007 session, the subcommittee held six meetings and examined 10 proposals put forward by the Government.

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. During the 2006-2007 session, the subcommittee held 13 meetings and examined 84 proposals, covering 101 projects and the Block Allocations for 2007-2008 put forward by the Government.