ENG-2009 — Page 41

Constitution and Administration 5

2009 session, the subcommittee held 17 meetings and examined 102 proposals, 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 2008-2009 session, the committee examined the Director of Audit's Report on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended March 31, 2008 and the reports on the results of Value-for-Money Audits (reports Nos. 51 and 52). The committee held 14 public hearings and 30 internal meetings during the period. The conclusions and recommendations of the committee are contained in the committee's reports Nos. 51, 51A and 52, which were tabled in the council on February 18, 2009, May 20, 2009 and July 8, 2009 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.

During the 2008-2009 session, the committee held three meetings to consider the advisory guidelines on matters of ethics in relation to the conduct of members in their capacity as such, as well as the procedure for handling complaints received in relation to the registration or declaration of members' interests or members' claims for reimbursement of operating expenses or applications for advance of 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,