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Following is a question by the Hon Ip Kwok-him and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, in the Legislative Council today (April 1):
Question :
Members of District Councils (DCs) are representatives of public opinions at district level. Through contacts with residents of the districts to which they belong, DC members understand and gauge public views on the governance of the Government, and reflecting public opinions is the focus of their work. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the current number of DC members who are members of advisory and statutory bodies; and
(b) whether it has any plan to appoint all DC members as members of advisory and statutory bodies; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) As at February 28, 2009, 479 of the 532 serving District Council (DC) members were appointed to district-based advisory committees (including 63 Area Committees, 18 District Fight Crime Committees and 18 District Fire Safety Committees). In addition, 180 DC members also served as members of 123 advisory and statutory bodies (ASBs).
(b) In making appointments to ASBs, the Government aims to secure the services of the most suitable persons to meet the requirements of the board or committee concerned. Each appointment is made on the basis of the merit of the individual concerned, taking into account the candidate's ability, expertise, experience, integrity and commitment to public service, and having regard to the functions and nature of business of the board or committee concerned and statutory requirements (for statutory bodies) to ensure that the composition of ASBs should broadly reflect the interests and views of the community. It is our policy to appoint more persons with experience and interest in community affairs, including DC members, to committees dealing with livelihood matters.
The personal particulars of DC members are kept in the Central Personality Index and would be made available to relevant bureaux/departments upon request where appropriate to facilitate consideration of appointments to boards and committees.
Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:12
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