MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): President, on behalf of the Finance Committee, I submit its Report on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure 2018-2019.
The Finance Committee held a total of 21 sessions of special meetings in April this year to examine the Estimates of Expenditure 2018-2019, with the aim of ensuring that the authorities are seeking a provision no more than is necessary for the execution of the policies approved.
Before the special meetings, 63 members submitted a total of 6 244 written questions on the Estimates of Expenditure to the Administration. A relatively large number of questions were focused on welfare and women affairs, education, food safety and environmental hygiene, as well as commerce and economic development. The Administration, according to the undertaking it had made earlier, submitted replies to the first 3 300 questions before the special meetings. As for the remaining written questions that were compliant with the Rules of Procedures, and the supplementary questions raised by members during the special meetings, the Administration’s replies to these questions were submitted before the third Budget meeting on 2 May 2018. The questions and replies have been uploaded onto the website of the Legislative Council.
At the special meetings, members raised questions on various expenditure items, and they also expressed concerns and views on measures closely related to economic development and people’s livelihood referred to in the Budget. The procedures of the special meetings are set out in the report.
Following the passage of the Appropriation Bill 2018 at the meeting of the Legislative Council on 10 May 2018, the Finance Committee started to examine the funding requests submitted by the Financial Secretary for changing the approved Estimates of Expenditure.
President, the Finance Committee spent a total of approximately 31 hours and 22 minutes to complete the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure, the process of which was smooth in general. In this connection, I thank members for their enthusiastic participation and the various Policy Bureaux and departments of the Government for their cooperation.
I so submit.