ENG-2009 — Page 42

6 | Constitution and Administration

subsidiary legislation and other instruments made under an ordinance. During the 2008-2009 session, the House Committee held 32 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 meetings to discuss issues of public concern with the Chief Secretary for Administration and another one to receive a briefing by the relevant government officials and financial institutions on the situation regarding minibonds.

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 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 2008-2009 session, the committee held seven meetings to study a number of issues relating to the procedural arrangements for council meetings and the procedures of committees of the council.

The committee presented three papers to the House Committee recommending changes to current procedures. The committee also presented a report to the council on July 8, 2009 summarising its deliberations on specific issues during the period under report.

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 2008-2009 session, the House Committee set up 21 bills committees to scrutinise bills introduced into the council, including the Public Health and Municipal Services (Amendment) Bill 2008, Road Traffic (Driving-offence Points) (Amendment) Bill 2009, Voting by Imprisoned Persons Bill, Genetically Modified Organisms (Control of Release) Bill, Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2009, Public Officers Pay Adjustment Bill, Minimum Wage Bill and Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2009.

Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation

During the 2008-2009 session, the House Committee formed 25 subcommittees to consider 39 items of subsidiary legislation, one technical memorandum, one code of practice, and 11 proposed resolutions presented by the Government for the council's approval.