ENG-2008 — Page 41

Constitution and Administration | 5

2008 session, the subcommittee held 17 meetings and examined 79 proposals, covering 82 projects and the Block Allocations for 2008-2009 put forward by the Government.

Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee considers reports of the Director of Audit on the accounts of the Government and the results of his value-for-money audits of government departments and other organisations that are within the purview of public audit. It may invite government officials, public organisations or any other persons to attend public hearings to give explanations, evidence or information in the performance of the committee's duties. The seven members of the committee are appointed by the President of the Legislative Council in accordance with the election procedure determined by the council's House Committee.

During the 2007-2008 Legislative Council session, the committee examined the Director of Audit's Report on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended March 31, 2007 and the reports on the results of Value-for-Money Audits (reports Nos. 49 and 50). The committee held 18 public hearings and 32 internal meetings during the period. The conclusions and recommendations of the committee are contained in the committee's reports Nos. 49, 49A and 50, which were tabled in the council on February 20, 2008, April 30, 2008 and July 9, 2008 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 complaints concerning the conduct of members in relation to claims for reimbursement of operating expenses or applications for advance of operating funds. It may also make recommendations to the council, including those concerning sanctions relating to members' interests, operating expenses or operating funds.

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, subsidiary legislation and other instruments made under an ordinance. During the 2007-2008 session, the House Committee held 30 regular meetings.

The House Committee also holds special meetings to discuss issues of public concern. During the session under review, the House Committee held two special