ENG-2019 — Page 36

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Constitution and Administration

At the invitation of the Law Reform Commission, the committee gave views on the Consultation Paper on Access to Information, in particular on the recommendation that absolute exemption be extended to information relating to Legislative Council privilege.

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 2018-19, the committee held 30 meetings, including two special meetings.

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 2018-19, the House Committee set up 17 bills committees to study 16 government bills and one Member's bill.

Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation

In 2018-19, the House Committee formed 32 subcommittees to study 71 items of subsidiary legislation.

Other Subcommittees

The House Committee may also appoint subcommittees to consider policy issues and any other council-related matters. Three subcommittees on policy issues concluded their work and another 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 2018-19, two such subcommittees completed their work while seven were still operational by the end of the legislative session. Another four 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 2018-19.

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