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 2017-2018.
The Finance Committee held a total of 21 sessions of special meetings from late March to early April this year to examine the Estimates of Expenditure 2017-2018, 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 7 008 questions on the Estimates of Expenditure to the Government, which were slightly less than the 7 199 questions submitted last year. A relatively large number of questions were focused on welfare, women affairs, education, security 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 written 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 26 April 2017. 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 2017 at the meeting of the Legislative Council on 18 May, 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 40 minutes to complete the examination of the Estimates of Expenditure, the process of which was smooth in general. In this connection, I would like to extend my gratitude to Members for their enthusiastic participation and to the various Policy Bureaux and departments of the Government for their cooperation.
I so submit.