Legislative Council Annual Report 2016-2017

Panels Panels are committees of the Council. They provide a forum for Members to deliberate on policy matters and study issues relating to the policy areas of their corresponding bureaux which are of public concern. Items for discussion can be brought up by members of the Panel, referred to it by the House Committee or other committees, proposed by the Government, or raised by other Members following meetings with District Councils or upon receipt of complaints or representations. Panels also give views on major legislative and financial proposals before their introduction into the Council or Finance Committee. A Panel may appoint subcommittees to study specific issues and present reports to the Council as it considers appropriate. A Panel or its subcommittee may meet jointly with other Panel(s) or its subcommittee(s) to consider any matter of common interest to the Panels. The chairman and deputy chairman of a Panel are elected by and from among its members. The 18 Panels are as follows: • Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services • Panel on Commerce and Industry • Panel on Constitutional Affairs • Panel on Development • Panel on Economic Development • Panel on Education • Panel on Environmental Affairs • Panel on Financial Affairs • Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene • Panel on Health Services • Panel on Home Affairs • Panel on Housing • Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting • Panel on Manpower • Panel on Public Service • Panel on Security • Panel on Transport • Panel on Welfare Services Legislative Council Annual Report 2016-2017 63