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Constitution and Administration

Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation

During the 2012-2013 session, the House Committee formed 31 subcommittees to consider 51 items of subsidiary legislation, one technical memorandum and 13 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 policy issues and any other matters relating to the council's business. In October 2012, the Subcommittee on Poverty was appointed by the House Committee to study relevant policies and measures to alleviate poverty and follow up the work of the government's Commission on Poverty. Three subcommittees on policy issues or other council business, including the Subcommittee to Examine the Implementation in Hong Kong of Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council in relation to Sanctions, the Subcommittee on Proposed Senior Judicial Appointments, and the Subcommittee to Prepare for the Operation of the Select Committee on the Petition Presented at the Council Meeting of 8 May 2013 were also appointed under the House Committee during the 2012-2013 session.

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 policy areas. These panels also give views on major legislative or financial proposals before their introduction into the Legislative Council or the Finance Committee and examine relevant policy matters. Panels may appoint subcommittees or joint subcommittees to study specific issues and to report to the panels. During the 2012-2013 session, seven such subcommittees were set up under panels and four such subcommittees were on the waiting list.

Select Committees

The Legislative Council may appoint select committees to enable members to consider matters or bills. Select committees report to the council after they have completed the consideration of such matters or bills. Pursuant to the referral of a petition presented at the council meeting on 8 May 2013, a Select Committee has been formed to inquire into matters relating to the duty visits, entertainment, and bestowing and receipt of gifts of Mr Timothy Tong when he was serving as Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. The committee consists of 13 members and it held two meetings during the 2012-2013 session to discuss its practice and procedure, work plan and other matters related to its work.

Redress System

The Legislative Council operates a system which enables members of the public to seek assistance for redress of grievances resulting from government actions or policies. The redress system also deals with public representations on government policies and legislation as well as other matters of public concern. In groups of seven, members take turns to be on duty each week to oversee the redress system and to receive representations and complaints made by deputations. Members also take turns to be on 'ward duty' at the Public Complaints Office during their duty week to meet with individual complainants and give guidance to the Public Complaints Office on the processing of cases.

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