ENG-2008 — Page 42

6 Constitution and Administration

meetings to discuss issues of public concern with the Chief Secretary for Administration.

Committee on Rules of Procedure

The Committee on Rules of Procedure is responsible for reviewing the Rules of Procedure of the Legislative Council and the committee system, and proposing to the council such amendments or changes as

as are considered necessary. The committee consists of 12 members who are appointed by the President of the Legislative Council in accordance with an election procedure determined by the council's House Committee. During the 2007-2008 Legislative Council session, the committee held five meetings to study issues relating to the procedural arrangements of the council, such as the proposed procedural arrangements relating to the implementation of Article 73(9) of the Basic Law on impeachment of the Chief Executive, as well as the procedures and working mechanism of the committees of the council.

Bills Committees

Any member, other than the President, may join a bills committee formed by the House Committee to consider the general merits and principles of a bill allocated for scrutiny. A bills committee may also consider the detailed provisions of and amendments to the bill. It usually tables a report in council and is dissolved on the passage of the bill or when the House Committee so decides. During the 2007-2008 session, the House Committee set up 14 bills committees to scrutinise bills. introduced into the council, including the Prevention and Control of Disease Bill, Product Eco-responsibility Bill, Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2007, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Bill, Fixed Penalty (Smoking Offences) Bill and Air Pollution Control (Amendment) Bill 2008. A total of 27 bills committees, including 13 carried forward from the previous sessions, were in operation during the 2007-2008 session.

Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation

During the 2007-2008 session, the House Committee formed 21 subcommittees to consider 25 items of subsidiary legislation, and three proposed resolutions presented by the Government for the council's approval.

Other Subcommittees

The House Committee may also appoint subcommittees to assist its consideration of any other matters relating to the business of the council. A subcommittee to study the draft subsidiary legislation relating to the Civil Justice Reform was formed in 2007-2008. Other subcommittees in operation during the period included a subcommittee on West Kowloon Cultural District Development, a subcommittee to study the subject of combating poverty and a subcommittee on Members' remuneration and operating expenses reimbursements, etc.

Panels

The Legislative Council has established 18 panels to monitor and examine the Government's policies and issues of public concern that relate to their respective