Register of Members' Interests
Seventh Legislative Council
Rule 83 of the Rules of Procedure specifies the following categories of interests which Members of the Legislative Council ("LegCo") are required to register ("registrable interests"):
- remunerated directorships in public or private companies;
- remunerated employments, offices, trades, professions or vocations;
- the names of clients (when the interests in (a) or (b) above include a Member's personal services relating to his or her membership of the Council) ;
- election donations and financial sponsorships;
- overseas visits;
- payments, benefits and advantages received from any government or organization of a place outside Hong Kong or from any person who is not a permanent resident of Hong Kong;
- land and property; and
- beneficial interests in shares of companies or other bodies.
The above rule also provides that every Member shall furnish to the Clerk to the LegCo, in a registration form approved by the President of the LegCo, particulars of his or her registrable interests within a specified timeframe.
Rule 83(4) provides that the Clerk to the LegCo should maintain a Register of Members' Interests for public inspection. The main purpose of the Register is to provide information of any pecuniary interest or other material benefit which a Member receives which might reasonably be thought by others to influence his or her actions, speeches or votes in the LegCo, or actions taken in his or her capacity as a Member of the LegCo.
Since January 2001, the Register has been made available on the LegCo website. Members' updated interests are usually available on the website within 2 working days.