ENG-2020 — Page 34

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 2019-20, the committee held 29 meetings, including 19 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 2019-20, the House Committee set up five bills committees to study five government bills.

Subcommittees on Subsidiary Legislation

In 2019-20, the House Committee formed seven subcommittees to study 29 items of subsidiary legislation.

Other Subcommittees

The House Committee may also appoint subcommittees to consider policy issues and any other council-related matters. In 2019-20, one subcommittee on policy issues completed its work and two subcommittees on other council-related matters were 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 2019-20, 10 such subcommittees completed their work, while one was still operational by the end of the legislative session. Another two were placed on the waiting list for activation.

Select Committees

The council may appoint select committees for members to consider matters or bills. The 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, completed its work and submitted its report to the council at the council meeting of 15 July 2020.

Redress System

The council operates a system which enables members of the public to seek help 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. Members take turns, in groups of seven, to be on duty each week to oversee the

6