For discussion
FCR(97-98)23
on 23 July 1997

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

ESTABLISHMENT SUBCOMMITTEE AND PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE

Members are invited to -

1. approve the setting up of the Establishment Subcommittee (ESC) and the Public Works Subcommittee (PWSC) under the Finance Committee (FC) with effect from 23 July 1997; and

2. approve the procedures to be adopted by the ESC and the PWSC.

PROBLEM

From July 1997 onwards, the Financial Secretary will put forward financial proposals to the FC to seek funds in accordance with section 8(1) of the Public Finance Ordinance, Cap. 2. As the FC comprises all Members of the Provisional Legislative Council (the Council) other than the President, we need to set up subcommittees to assist the FC to consider some of these financial proposals in order to make more effective use of the meeting time of the FC. The majority of such proposals relate to changes in establishment in the civil service as well as public works projects which contain many technical aspects and require detailed examination.

PROPOSAL

2.The Rules of Procedure of the Council provide, among other things, the appointment of subcommittees by the FC to assist in the performance of such functions of the FC as it may determine. Following consultation with the Administration, we propose the establishment of two subcommittees under the FC as follows:

1. Establishment Subcommittee

   The subcommittee will be responsible for considering proposals on the creation, deployment, and deletion of permanent and supernumerary directorate posts; and changes to the approved establishment ceiling and to the structure of civil service grades and ranks.

2. Public Works Subcommittee

   The subcommittee will be responsible for considering proposals for the upgrading to and down-grading from Category A of the Public Works Programme; changes to the scope and approved estimates of projects already in that Category; and new commitments and subsequent changes for capital subvention works projects under the Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF).

3.The proposed procedures of ESC and PWSC, and their terms of reference, are set out in Enclosures I and II for endorsement by the FC in accordance with Rule 72(12) of the Rules of Procedure.

JUSTIFICATION

4.The functions of the FC are those conferred upon the Committee by the Public Finance Ordinance, any other law and the Rules of Procedure of the Council, and such as may from time to time be referred to the Committee by the Council. In accordance with the Public Finance Ordinance, no change shall be made to the approved estimates of expenditure except with the approval of the FC upon a proposal by the Financial Secretary. The majority of these proposals relate to two broad categories :

1. Changes to the establishment of the civil service

   Posts in the civil service can be classified generally into directorate and non-directorate posts. While authorities for the creation, deployment, and deletion of permanent and supernumerary non-directorate posts within the approved establishment ceiling and supernumerary directorate posts for a period not over six months have been delegated to respective Controlling Officers in Government departments and policy bureaux, recommendations on other directorate posts, increase in establishment ceilings, changes to the structure of civil service grades and ranks, require the approval of the FC.

2. Capital works projects

   Projects in the Public Works Programme are classified into different categories in accordance with the urgency and priority of the projects. When a public works project exceeding $15 million is ready in all respects to go to tender, the Administration will seek the approval of the FC to upgrade the project to Category A. FC's approval is required for the down-grading of any approved Category A projects, as well as changes to the scope and approved estimates of projects already in that Category. FC's approval is also required for new commitments for capital subvention works projects under CWRF.

5.Proposals relating to civil service establishment and public works projects cover a wide spectrum of issues some of which are technical in nature and require extensive deliberations. The setting up of the two subcommittees of ESC and PWSC will provide a forum for the scrutiny of these proposals. All proposals supported by the ESC and PWSC are forwarded to the FC for approval, but no further deliberation will normally take place at FC meetings unless upon members' request. It is estimated that over 60% of financial proposals presented by the Administration may be discussed by the ESC and the PWSC. To keep the FC agenda within manageable limits, establishment of the two subcommittees will be necessary.

PROCEDURES, TERMS OF REFERENCE AND MEMBERSHIP

6.The proposed procedures and terms of reference of ESC and PWSC are given in the Enclosures.

7.Subject to the approval of the FC for the establishment of the ESC and the PWSC, the Provisional Legislative Council Secretariat will issue a circular to invite members of the FC to join these two subcommittees.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

8.We propose to convene the first meetings of the ESC and the PWSC on 8 August 1997 to elect the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen from among the members who have elected to join these subcommittees. Subsequent meetings of the subcommittees may be scheduled on alternate Wednesdays, and the Clerk to the subcommittees will inform members of the provisional meeting dates for the session after consultation with the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the subcommittees.

CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE FC PROCEDURE

9.Subject to members' agreement to the setting up of the two subcommittees, we propose to add the following sentence to the end of paragraph 3 of the FC Procedure to provide for the establishment of ESC and PWSC under the FC:

"The two Subcommittees appointed under Rule 72(4) are the Establishment Subcommittee and the Public Works Subcommittee."

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

10.The proposal does not have any financial implications. The Provisional Legislative Council Secretariat will continue to provide secretariat support to the ESC and the PWSC.

Provisional Legislative Council Secretariat
July 1997

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Enclosure I to FCR(97-98)23

PROVISIONAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
ESTABLISHMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
PROCEDURE

July 1997

CONTENTS

ESTABLISHMENT SUBCOMMITTEE PROCEDURE

Role

The Establishment Subcommittee (ESC) of the Finance Committee (FC) is established under Rule 72(4) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provisional Legislative Council for the purpose of assisting the FC in the performance of its functions. The subcommittee examines requests for variations in the establishment of the civil service and makes recommendations to the FC, but has no independent functions or powers. It is the FC that must make the decisions; and in doing so, the FC is not bound in any way by the recommendations of the ESC.

Terms of Reference

2.The terms of reference of the ESC are -

1. To consider submissions from the Administration and, as appropriate, to recommend to the FC :
   1. the creation, redeployment and deletion of permanent and supernumerary posts remunerated at the directorate pay scales;

   2. the retention in the draft Estimates of supernumerary directorate posts;

   3. the creation of supernumerary posts held against permanent posts in ranks with a lower notional annual mid-point salary value;

   4. the creation of individual consultancy positions at directorate level lasting more than one year;

   5. changes to the departmental establishment ceilings shown in the Estimates;

   6. changes to the arrangements for the creation, redeployment and deletion of directorate posts;

   7. changes to the structure of civil service ranks and grades (including pay scales, new grades and new ranks) recommended by the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service, or the Standing Committee on Directorate Salaries and Conditions of Service, or the Standing Committee on Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service, or the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service, and the consequential creation and deletion of posts in affected ranks; and

   8. changes to the organisational structure of the Government and consequential transfers of posts.

2. To report to the FC on changes in departmental establishments shown in the draft Estimates and on the size and cost of the civil service.

Membership

3.The ESC comprises those FC members who elect to join the ESC by informing the Clerk to the ESC (the Clerk) in writing not later than seven clear days¹before the first ESC meeting in the session. The ESC members²elect from among themselves a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman. The Chairman may agree to accept late membership on grounds of indisposition or absence from Hong Kong. New Members who join the Provisional Legislative Council in the middle of the session will be invited by the Provisional Legislative Council Secretariat to signify his/her wish to join the ESC within one month from the date of his/her election.

4.FC members who have not elected to join the ESC may attend ESC meetings and take part in the discussion but have no right to vote.

Membership

3.The ESC comprises those FC members who elect to join the ESC by informing the Clerk to the ESC (the Clerk) in writing not later than seven clear days before the first ESC meeting in the session. The ESC members elect from among themselves a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman. The Chairman may agree to accept late membership on grounds of indisposition or absence from Hong Kong. New Members who join the Provisional Legislative Council in the middle of the session will be invited by the Provisional Legislative Council Secretariat to signify his/her wish to join the ESC within one month from the date of his/her election.

4.FC members who have not elected to join the ESC may attend ESC meetings and take part in the discussion but have no right to vote.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman

5.The Chairman and Deputy Chairman shall be elected by and from among members at an open meeting and shall hold office until the end of the session. In the event event of the temporary absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the Subcommittee may elect a Chairman to act during such absence [Rule 72(2)] .³

6.The election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the ESC shall be conducted at the first meeting of the ESC in the session. The election shall be chaired by the member who is elected by and from among the members present.

7.At the meeting held for the purpose of the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the member presiding at the meeting shall call for nominations for the election for these two offices. All members may stand for election. Each nomination shall be made orally by a member, seconded by at least one other member present and accepted by the member being nominated. A member who nominates an absent member for an office shall state that the absent member's acceptance of the nomination has been secured. If there is only one nomination, the member presiding shall declare the nominee elected. If more than one nomination is received for an office, the election shall be decided by secret ballot by the members present, including the presiding member, on the basis of a simple majority of votes. In case of a tie, the presiding member shall draw lots to give the casting vote to one of the nominees in accordance with the lot drawn, and shall forthwith declare that nominee elected to an office.

Clerk to the Establishment Subcommittee

8.The Clerk shall attend the meetings of the ESC, keep a record of the proceedings of the ESC, and distribute a copy thereof to each member before the FC meeting at which the ESC recommendations are considered. The record is kept in the form of minutes, recording the attendance, the gist of proceedings and the decisions taken. The Clerk will not normally clear the minutes with the Administration and outside parties except in respect of those parts of the record which relate to the statements made by these parties at the meeting.

Meetings

9.After the Chairman is elected, the Clerk will seek the Chairman's agreement to a provisional schedule of dates of ESC meetings for the session and inform members and the Administration accordingly. The Chairman may decide to convene special meetings to consider urgent items.

10.The Clerk shall give members written notice of every meeting at least 5 clear days before the day of the meeting but shorter notice may be given in any case where the Chairman so directs [Rule 72(5)]. Meetings will be held in public unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with any decision of the ESC [Rule 72(6)]. Any items on the agenda scheduled for discussion but not dealt with at the meeting will be carried over to the next meeting or, if the Chairman decides, to a special meeting.

11.The Chairman or, if he is not available, the Deputy Chairman, chairs an ESC meeting. If neither of them is present within 15 minutes of the time appointed for a meeting or if both of them have notified the Clerk that they will not be present at the meeting, the members present shall elect one from among themselves to chair the meeting. If the Chairman decides that he is unable to act for a particular item, or if so decided by the ESC, the Deputy Chairman shall chair the meeting for that particular item. If both of them decide that they are unable to act, or if so decided by the ESC, the members present shall elect one from among themselves to chair the meeting for that item.

Quorum

12.The Chairman and three members or the Chairman and one-seventh of the members, whichever is the greater, form a quorum. Members should confirm their attendance with the Clerk before an ESC meeting; otherwise, the Clerk will assume their absence for the purposes of determining whether there will be a quorum present at the meeting. The meeting will not be held unless a quorum is present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting.

13.If the attention of the Chairman during a meeting is drawn to the fact that a quorum is not present, he shall direct the members to be summoned. If after 15 minutes have expired and a quorum is still not present, he shall adjourn the meeting without questions put.

14.The Chairman shall ensure that a quorum is present before he orders the ESC to proceed to a decision.

Attendance of Public Officers and Other Persons

15.The Chairman or the ESC may invite any public officer, or, in the case of a head of Estimates relating to a non-government body or organisation, any member or employee of that body or organisation to give information or any explanation or to produce any records or documents which the ESC may require in the performance of its duties. The ESC may also invite any other person to assist the ESC in relation to any such information, explanation, records or documents [Rule 72(11)]. The Clerk will state in the agenda the office of the public officers and other persons invited for discussion of the particular items .

16.When the Secretary for the Treasury or the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury attends ESC meetings in the absence of the Financial Secretary, he is responsible for advising the Chairman on public finance procedures and coordinating the Administration's presentation at meetings including withdrawal and modification of a proposal.

Information Note

17.The Administration may issue information notes to members separately under a serially-numbered cover. An information note may be issued in response to a request by members made at a previous meeting or on the Administration's own initiative.

Agenda Item

18.The Financial Secretary, the Secretary for the Treasury, or the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury, being public officers designated by the Chief Executive, may give notice to the Clerk of the items of business to be included in the agenda of the ESC [Rule 9(2)]. The notice of agenda items should reach the Clerk at least six clear days before the meeting, but shorter notice may be given if the Chairman so directs.

19.An ESC agenda item is normally a discussion paper proposing for ESC's recommendation to the FC the establishment proposals submitted by the Administration. The Clerk shall despatch papers for discussion to members at least five clear days before the meeting at which the papers are to be considered, unless on grounds of urgency the Chairman directs otherwise.

Open and Confidential Items

20.Non-confidential ESC agenda items are discussed in public unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with any decision of the ESC [Rule 72(6)]. If there is a confidential item and members have questions on it, the ESC will discuss the item in closed session normally after the discussion of all the non-confidential items, unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with a decision of the ESC. If the Administration considers it necessary to classify an agenda item as confidential, there must be a paragraph in the submission explaining the reason for confidentiality.

21.The Clerk delivers papers relating to a confidential item to members in a sealed envelope. Members should take care to ensure that such papers are kept in safe custody and should not disclose their content, in part or in full, to any unauthorized person.

Consideration by Circulation

22.Where the Chairman so orders, any matter for the recommendation of the ESC may be considered by circulation of papers to the members of the ESC and each member may signify his endorsement in writing submitted to the Chairman. If a majority of the members so signify before the expiry of the period specified by the Chairman for the purpose, and if upon expiry of that period no member has (in writing submitted to the Chairman) signified disagreement to the matter or requested that the matter be referred for discussion at a meeting of the ESC, it shall be deemed to be endorsed by the ESC.

Withdrawal of Agenda Items

23.At an ESC meeting, the Financial Secretary or, in his absence, the Secretary for the Treasury, or the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury may withdraw an item -

1. at any time before it is put to the vote; or

2. by unanimous consent of the ESC after it has been put to the vote but the result is not yet declared by the Chairman.

Amendments to the Administration's Proposals

24.Under section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance, proposals to change the approved Estimates of Expenditure must come from the Financial Secretary, and members cannot amend the Financial Secretary's proposals. The ESC must discuss and vote on any proposal as it stands. If the ESC does not approve the proposal, it would then be for the Financial Secretary to consider whether to make a fresh proposal amended in such a way as may make it acceptable to the ESC.

Practice and Procedure of the Establishment Subcommittee

25.Subject to the Rules of Procedure of the Provisional Legislative Council and the FC's endorsement, the ESC determines its own practice and procedure [Rule 72(12)].

Order in the Establishment Subcommittee

26.The Chairman is responsible for the observance of the rules of order in the ESC and his decision on a point of order shall be final [Rule 44].

27.The Chairman, after having called the attention of the ESC to the conduct of a member who persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition of his own or other members' arguments in the discussion, may direct him to discontinue his speech [Rule 45(1)].

28.A member shall not interrupt another member except -

1. on a point of order which he wishes to bring to notice for the Chairman's decision; or

2. to seek elucidation on some matters raised by that member in the course of discussion, if the member speaking is willing to give way and the Chairman agrees [Rule 39].

Language

29.A member may address the ESC orally in either Cantonese, Putonghua or English. Replies by the public officers and others persons attending may likewise be in either Cantonese, Putonghua or English. All ESC papers are in both Chinese and English.

Manner at Meetings

30.Members should remain seated at meetings and need not rise in order to speak. There is no need to stand when the Chairman enters or leaves.

31.Members should raise their hands to signify that they wish to speak.

Adjournment of Proceedings

32.A member when speaking on a proposal in the Subcommittee may move without notice that discussion on an item or further proceedings of the ESC be adjourned. Thereupon the Chairman shall put the question on the motion to adjourn.

Pecuniary Interest to be Disclosed

33.Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply to the proceedings of the ESC.

34.There are situations in which the usual rules regarding pecuniary interests do not apply, such as when an item concerns an establishment proposal where members would benefit no more or no less than any other resident of Hong Kong. In these cases, there is no need for members to declare their individual interests. The Chairman shall declare that all members have the same pecuniary interest in the question and the Clerk records the statement. Members may then speak and vote.

Questions

35.The Chairman calls the meeting to order and normally deals first with the business left over from the previous meeting, if any. The Chairman gives a brief summary of each item (except confidential items) for the benefit of members of the public who do not have copies of the item, and introduces the persons at the meeting responsible for answering questions on the item. Members then discuss the item.

36.Members' questions on a proposal must relate directly to the contents of the agenda item. Members should either address the full Council on wider questions of policy or raise them at an appropriate Provisional Legislative Council Panel. In determining whether questions are in order, the Chairman shall have regard to Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure on contents of questions where appropriate.

37.Representatives from the relevant bureau and department are in attendance to answer questions which members may have. Any member who requires a comprehensive or very technical oral reply to his question at the meeting should notify the Clerk beforehand so that the answer can be prepared. If the Administration cannot give a full or definite answer at the meeting, the representative concerned may supplement his answer in writing by subsequently providing an information note to the ESC or a letter to the member who asked the question with copies to other members as appropriate.

Voting

38.The ESC makes decisions on all matters by a majority of the members present and voting. Neither the Chairman nor any other member presiding shall vote, unless the votes of the other members are equally divided, in which case he shall have a casting vote [Rule 72(7)]. A casting vote can be exercised in accordance with the convention that the effect of the casting vote will keep the matter open for discussion or in such a way as not to alter the status quo.

39.Before putting an item to the vote, the Chairman shall ask members if they have any further questions. When the Chairman puts a question to the ESC for its decision he first calls upon those members who are in favour of the question to say "Aye" and then upon those who are against the question to say "No". The Chairman may, according to his judgement of the number of voices on either side, then state that he thinks the Ayes or the Noes, as the case may be, have it. If no member challenges his statement, the Chairman will declare the question to have been so decided. If a member challenges the statement of the Chairman by claiming a division, then the Chairman will order the ESC to proceed to a division and a division shall be held forthwith immediately after a division bell has been rung for one minute. When a division had been ordered, Rules 48 and 49 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply to the proceedings of the ESC.

40.As soon as the Chairman has collected the voices of the Ayes and of the Noes, the question being then fully put no other member may speak to it [Rule 47(2)]. Before this, the Chairman may interrupt the voting procedure to enable a member to speak.

41.If a member fails to declare that he has a direct pecuniary interest in an item in accordance with Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure, and has voted on it, then his vote stands (and the decision of the ESC is valid) unless his vote is disallowed under Rule 84(4) of the Rules of Procedure following the procedure laid down in the House Rules.

Adverse Weather

42.Unless directed otherwise by the Chairman, all meetings shall be cancelled if Storm Signal No. 8 or Rainstorm Black Warning is hoisted and/or remains in force two hours before the appointed time of the meeting. If Storm Signal No. 8 is hoisted while a meeting is in progress, the Chairman should adjourn the meeting. In the case of a Rainstorm Black Warning, the Chairman should decide whether to adjourn or continue with the meeting.

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Enclosure II to FCR(97-98)23

PROVISIONAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE
PROCEDURE

July 1997

CONTENTS

PUBLIC WORKS SUBCOMMITTEE PROCEDURE

Role

Expenditure on public works projects falls under the Capital Works Reserve Fund (CWRF) which was established by Resolution of the Legislative Council. The Resolution provides that the fund be administered by the Financial Secretary, who may expend moneys, inter alia, for the purposes of the Public Works Programme and capital subvention works, in accordance with such conditions, exceptions and limitations as may be specified by the Finance Committee.

2.The Public Works Subcommittee (PWSC) of the Finance Committee (FC) is established under Rule 72(4) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provisional Legislative Council for the purpose of assisting the FC in the performance of its function. The subcommittee examines the public works expenditure proposals presented by the Financial Secretary and makes recommendations to the FC, but has no independent functions or powers. It is the FC that must make the decisions; and in doing so, the FC is not bound in any way by the recommendations of the PWSC.

Terms of Reference

3.The terms of reference of the PWSC are to consider submissions from the Administration, and as appropriate, to recommend to the FC -

1. the upgrading of projects to or downgrading from Category A of the Public Works Programme;

2. changes to the scope and/or approved projects estimates of projects currently in Category A of the Public Works Programme;

3. the approval of new commitments for capital subvention works projects funded under CWRF Head 708; and

4. changes to the scope and/or approved projects estimates of works projects approved for funding under CWRF Head 708.

Membership

4.The PWSC comprises those FC members who elect to join the PWSC by informing the Clerk to the PWSC (the Clerk) in writing not later than seven clear days⁴before the first PWSC meeting in the session. The PWSC members⁵elect from among themselves a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman. The Chairman may agree to accept late membership on grounds of indisposition or absence from Hong Kong. New Members who join the Provisional Legislative Council in the middle of the session will be invited by the Provisional Legislative Council Secretariat to signify his/her wish to join the PWSC within one month from the date of his/her election.

5.FC members who have not elected to join the PWSC may attend PWSC meetings and take part in the discussion but have no right to vote.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman

6.The Chairman and Deputy Chairman shall be elected by and from among its members at an open meeting and shall hold office until the end of the session. In the event of the temporary absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the Subcommittee may elect a Chairman to act during such absence [Rule 72(2)] ⁶.

7.The election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the PWSC shall be conducted at the first meeting of the PWSC in the session. The election shall be chaired by the member who is elected by and from among the members present.

8.At the meeting held for the purpose of the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the member presiding at the meeting shall call for nominations for the election for these two offices. All members may stand for election. Each nomination shall be made orally by a member, seconded by at least one other member present and accepted by the member being nominated. A member who nominates an absent member for an office shall state that the absent member's acceptance of the nomination has been secured. If there is only one nomination, the member presiding shall declare the nominee elected. If more than one nomination is received for an office, the election shall be decided by secret ballot by the members present, including the presiding member, on the basis of a simple majority of votes. In case of a tie, the presiding member shall draw lots member shall draw lots to give the casting vote to one of the nominees in accordance with the lot drawn, and shall forthwith declare that nominee elected to an office.

Clerk to the Public Works Subcommittee

9.The Clerk shall attend the meetings of the PWSC, keep a record of the proceedings of the PWSC, and distribute a copy thereof to each member before the FC meeting at which the PWSC recommendations are considered. The record is kept in the form of minutes, recording the attendance, the gist of proceedings and the decisions taken. The Clerk will not normally clear the minutes with the Administration and outside parties except in respect of those parts of the record which relate to the statements made by these parties at the meeting.

Meetings

10.After the Chairman is elected, the Clerk will seek the Chairman's agreement to a provisional schedule of dates of PWSC meetings for the session and inform members and the Administration accordingly. The Chairman may decide to convene special meetings to consider urgent items.

11.The Clerk shall give members written notice of every meeting at least 5 clear days before the day of the meeting but shorter notice may be given in any case where the Chairman so directs [Rule 72(5)]. Meetings will be held in public unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with any decision of the PWSC [Rule 72(6)]. Any items on the agenda scheduled for discussion but not dealt with at the meeting will be carried over to the next meeting or, if the Chairman decides, to a special meeting.

12.The Chairman or, if he is not available, the Deputy Chairman, chairs a PWSC meeting. If neither of them is present within 15 minutes of the time appointed for a meeting or if both of them have notified the Clerk that they will not be present at the meeting, the members present shall elect one from among themselves to chair the meeting. If the Chairman decides that he is unable to act for a particular item, or if so decided by the PWSC, the Deputy Chairman shall chair the meeting for that particular item. If both of them decide that they are unable to act, or if so decided by the PWSC, the members present shall elect one from among themselves to chair the meeting for that item.

Quorum

13.The Chairman and three members or the Chairman and one-seventh of the members, whichever is the greater, form a quorum. Members should confirm their attendance with the Clerk before a PWSC meeting; otherwise, the Clerk will assume their absence for the purposes of determining whether there will be a quorum present at the meeting. The meeting will not be held unless a quorum is present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for the meeting.

14.If the attention of the Chairman during a meeting is drawn to the fact that a quorum is not present, he shall direct the members to be summoned. If after 15 minutes have expired and a quorum is still not present, he shall adjourn the meeting without questions put.

15.The Chairman shall ensure that a quorum is present before he orders the PWSC to proceed to a decision.

Attendance of Public Officers and Other Persons

16.The Chairman or the PWSC may invite any public officer, or, in the case of a head of Estimates relating to a non-government body or organisation, any member or employee of that body or organisation to give information or any explanation or to produce any records or documents which the PWSC may require in the performance of its duties. The PWSC may also invite any other person to assist the PWSC in relation to any such information, explanation, records or documents [Rule 72(11)]. The Clerk will state in the agenda the office of the public officers and other persons invited for discussion of the particular items.

17.When the Secretary for the Treasury or the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury attends PWSC meetings in the absence of the Financial Secretary, he is responsible for advising the Chairman on public finance procedures and coordinating the Administration's presentation at meetings including withdrawal and modification of a proposal.

Information Note

18.The Administration may issue information notes to members separately under a serially-numbered cover. An information note may be issued in response to a request by members made at a previous meeting or on the Administration's own initiative.

Agenda Item

19.The Financial Secretary, the Secretary for the Treasury, or the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury, being public officers designated by the Chief Executive, may give notice to the Clerk of the items of business to be included in the agenda of the PWSC [Rule 9(2)]. The notice of agenda items should reach the Clerk at least six clear days before the meeting, but shorter notice may be given if the Chairman so directs.

20.A PWSC agenda item is normally a discussion paper proposing for PWSC's recommendation to the FC public works proposals submitted by the Administration. The Clerk shall despatch papers for discussion to members at least five clear days before the meeting at which the papers are to be considered, unless on grounds of urgency, the Chairman directs otherwise.

Open and Confidential Items

21.Non-confidential PWSC agenda items are discussed in public unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with any decision of the PWSC [Rule 72(6)]. If there is a confidential item and members have questions on it, the PWSC will discuss the item in closed session normally after the discussion of all the non-confidential items, unless the Chairman otherwise orders in accordance with a decision of PWSC. If the Administration considers it necessary to classify an agenda item as confidential, there must be a paragraph in the submission explaining the reason for confidentiality.

22.The Clerk delivers papers relating to a confidential item to members in a sealed envelope. Members should take care to ensure that such papers are kept in safe custody and should not disclose their content, in part or in full, to any unauthorized person.

Consideration by Circulation

23.Where the Chairman so orders, any matter for the recommendation of the PWSC may be considered by circulation of papers to the members of the PWSC and each member may signify his endorsement in writing submitted to the Chairman. If a majority of the members so signify before the expiry of the period specified by the Chairman for the purpose, and if upon expiry of that period no member has (in writing submitted to the Chairman) signified disagreement to the matter or requested that the matter be referred for discussion at a meeting of the PWSC, it shall be deemed to be endorsed by the PWSC.

Withdrawal of Agenda Items

24.At a PWSC meeting, the Financial Secretary or, in his absence, the Secretary for the Treasury, or the Deputy Secretary for the Treasury may withdraw an item -

1. at any time before it is put to the vote; or

2. by unanimous consent of the PWSC after it has been put to the vote but the result is not yet declared by the Chairman.

Amendments to the Administration's Proposals

25.Under section 8 of the Public Finance Ordinance, proposals to change the approved Estimates of Expenditure must come from the Financial Secretary, and members cannot amend the Financial Secretary's proposals. The PWSC must discuss and vote on any proposal as it stands. If the PWSC does not approve the proposal, it would then be for the Financial Secretary to consider whether to make a fresh proposal amended in such a way as may make it acceptable to the PWSC.

Practice and Procedure of the Public Works Subcommittee

26.Subject to the Rules of Procedure of the Provisional Legislative Council and the FC's endorsement, the PWSC determines its own practice and procedure [Rule 72(12)].

Order in the Public Works Subcommittee

27.The Chairman is responsible for the observance of the rules of order in the PWSC and his decision on a point of order shall be final [Rule 44].

28.The Chairman, after having called the attention of the PWSC to the conduct of a member who persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition of his own or other members' arguments in the discussion, may direct him to discontinue his speech [Rule 45(1)].

29.A member shall not interrupt another member except -

1. on a point of order which he wishes to bring to notice for the Chairman's decision; or

2. to seek elucidation on some matters raised by that member in the course of discussion, if the member speaking is willing to give way and the Chairman agrees [Rule 39].

Language

30.A member may address the PWSC orally in either Cantonese, Putonghua or English. Replies by the public officers and other persons attending may likewise be in either Cantonese, Putonghua or English. All PWSC papers are in both Chinese and English.

Manner at Meetings

31.Members should remain seated at meetings and need not rise in order to speak. There is no need to stand when the Chairman enters or leaves.

32.Members should raise their hands to signify that they wish to speak.

Adjournment of Proceedings

33.A member when speaking on a proposal in the Subcommittee may move without notice that discussion on an item or further proceedings of the PWSC be adjourned. Thereupon the Chairman shall put the question on the motion to adjourn.

Pecuniary Interest to be Disclosed

34.Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply to the proceedings of the PWSC.

35.There are situations in which the usual rules regarding pecuniary interests do not apply, such as when an item concerns a public works project where members would benefit no more or no less than any other resident of Hong Kong. In these cases, there is no need for members to declare their individual interests. The Chairman shall declare that all members have the same pecuniary interest in the question and the Clerk records the statement. Members may then speak and vote.

Questions

36.The Chairman calls the meeting to order and normally deals first with the business left over from the previous meeting, if any. The Chairman gives a brief summary of each item (except confidential items) for the benefit of members of the public who do not have copies of the item, and introduces the persons at the meeting responsible for answering questions on the item. Members then discuss the item.

37.Members' questions on a proposal must relate directly to the contents of the agenda item. Members should either address the full Council on wider questions of policy or raise them at an appropriate Provisional Legislative Council Panel. In determining whether questions are in order, the Chairman shall have regard to Rule 25 of the Rules of Procedure on contents of questions where appropriate.

38.Representatives from the relevant bureau and department are in attendance to answer questions which members may have. Any member who requires a comprehensive or very technical oral reply to his question at the meeting should notify the Clerk beforehand so that the answer can be prepared. If the Administration cannot give a full or definite answer at the meeting, the representative concerned may supplement his answer in writing by subsequently providing an information note to the PWSC or a letter to the member who asked the question with copies to other members as appropriate.

Voting

39.The PWSC makes decisions on all matters by a majority of the members present and voting. Neither the Chairman nor any other member presiding shall vote, unless the votes of the other members are equally divided, in which case he shall have a casting vote [Rule 72(7)]. A casting vote can be exercised in accordance with the convention that the effect of the casting vote will keep the matter open for discussion or in such a way as not to alter the status quo.

40.Before putting an item to the vote, the Chairman shall ask members if they have any further questions. When the Chairman puts a question to the PWSC for its decision he first calls upon those members who are in favour of the question to say "Aye" and then upon those who are against the question to say "No". The Chairman may, according to his judgement of the number of voices on either side, then state that he thinks the Ayes or the Noes, as the case may be, have it. If no member challenges his statement, the Chairman will declare the question to have been so decided. If a member challenges the statement of the Chairman by claiming a division, then the Chairman will order the PWSC to proceed to a division and a division shall be held forthwith immediately after a division bell has been rung for one minute. When a division has been ordered, Rules 48 and 49 of the Rules of Procedure shall apply to the proceedings of the PWSC.

41.As soon as the Chairman has collected the voices of the Ayes and of the Noes, the question being then fully put no other member may speak to it [Rule 47(2)]. Before this, the Chairman may interrupt the voting procedure to enable a member to speak.

42.If a member fails to declare that he has a direct pecuniary interest in an item in accordance with Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure, and has voted on it, then his vote stands (and the decision of the PWSC is valid) unless his vote is disallowed under Rule 84(4) of the Rules of Procedure following the procedure laid down in the House Rules.

Adverse Weather

43.Unless directed otherwise by the Chairman, all meetings shall be cancelled if Storm Signal No. 8 or Rainstorm Black Warning is hoisted and/or remains in force two hours before the appointed time of the meeting. If Storm Signal No. 8 is hoisted while a meeting is in progress, the Chairman should adjourn the meeting. In the case of a Rainstorm Black Warning, the Chairman should decide whether to adjourn or continue with the meeting.

1--The term "clear day" excludes the day of the giving of a notice, the day of the meeting and intervening Sundays and public holidays.

2--The term "members" or "member" as used in the text refers to members or a member of the Establishment Subcommittee unless specified otherwise.

3--The term [Rule 72(2)] means reference is made to Rule 72(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provisional Legislative Council.

4--The term "clear days" excludes the day of the giving of a notice, the day of the meeting and intervening Sundays and public holidays.

5--The term "member" or "members" as used in the text refers to a member or members of the Public Works Subcommittee unless specified otherwise.

6--The term [Rule 72(2)] means reference is made to Rule 72(2) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provisional Legislative Council.

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