MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): President, on behalf of the Finance Committee (FC), I submit its Report on the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure 2016-2017.
The FC held a total of 21 sessions of special meetings in April this year to examine the Estimates of Expenditure 2016-2017 (the Estimates), with the aim to ensure that the authorities are seeking a provision no more than is necessary for the execution of the policies approved.
Members submitted 7 199 written questions on the Estimates to the Administration, which were slightly more than the 7 093 questions submitted last year. A relatively large number of questions were focused on welfare, women affairs, education and home affairs. The Administration, according to the undertaking it had made earlier, submitted replies to a total of 3 300 questions before the special meetings. As for the remaining questions that were compliant with the Rules of Procedure, 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 20 April 2016. 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 2016 at the meeting of the Legislative Council on 13 May, the FC started to examine the funding requests submitted by the authorities with respect to various measures proposed in the Budget.
President, the FC spent a total of approximately 31 hours and 30 minutes to complete the examination of the Estimates, the process of which was smooth in general. In this connection, I am most grateful to Members for their enthusiastic participation, and I would also like to extend my gratitude to the various Policy Bureaux and departments of the Government for their co-operation.
I so submit.