ENG-2018 — Page 36

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Constitution and Administration

House Committee

The House Committee consists of all council members except the President of the Legislative Council and normally meets on Friday afternoons. It deals with matters related to the work of the council and prepares for council meetings. It decides whether bills committees or subcommittees should be formed to scrutinise bills, subsidiary legislation and other instruments made under an ordinance. In 2017-18, the committee held 31 meetings, including one special meeting with the Chief Secretary for Administration and senior government officials to discuss the government's preparations, emergency response and recovery efforts arising from Super Typhoon Mangkhut.

Bills Committees

Any member, other than the President of the Legislative Council, 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 the council and is dissolved on the passage of the bill or when the House Committee so decides. In 2017-18, the House Committee set up 20 bills committees to study 20 government bills.

Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation

In 2017-18, the House Committee formed 36 subcommittees to study 56 items of subsidiary legislation, one technical memorandum and seven proposed resolutions presented by the government for the council's approval.

Other Subcommittees

The House Committee may also appoint subcommittees to consider policy issues and any other council-related matters. Among the eight subcommittees on policy issues appointed in the previous legislative session, four had completed their work by the end of 2017-18, three were still in operation and one was on the waiting list for activation. Two subcommittees on other council-related matters were also in operation.

Panels

The council has 18 panels for members to deliberate on policy matters and study issues of public concern. These panels also give views on major legislative and financial proposals before their introduction into the council or its Finance Committee, and examine relevant policy matters. Panels may appoint subcommittees or joint subcommittees to study specific issues. In 2017-18, one such subcommittee completed its work while four were still operational by the end of the legislative session. Another eight were placed on the waiting list for activation.

Select Committees

The council may appoint select committees for members to consider matters or bills. Select committees report to the council after completing their work. A select committee to inquire into an agreement between Mr Leung Chun-ying and the Australian firm UGL Limited, established according to a petition presented at the council meeting of 2 November 2016, continued its work in 2017-18.

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