ENG-2010 — Page 43

Constitution and Administration 15

proposals for the following financial year. During the 2009-2010 session, the Finance Committee held 41 meetings (including seven special meetings to examine the Estimates of Expenditure 2010-2011) and examined a total of 54 items of proposals, including 14 items containing 53 proposals which had been considered and supported by its two subcommittees.

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 2009-2010 session, the subcommittee held seven meetings and examined 16 Government proposals.

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 2009- 2010 session, the subcommittee held 11 meetings and examined 38 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 2009-2010 session, the committee examined the Director of Audit's Report on the Accounts of the Government for the year ended March 31, 2009 and the reports on the results of Value-for-Money Audits (reports Nos. 53 and 54). The committee held 10 public hearings and 20 internal meetings during the period. The conclusions and recommendations of the committee are contained in the committee's reports Nos. 53, 53A and 54, which were tabled in the council on February 3, 2010, June 2, 2010 and July 14, 2010 respectively.

Committee on Members' Interests

The Committee on Members' Interests consists of 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