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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The delegation of the Legislative Council Public Accounts Committee (LegCo PAC) completed its duty visit to London, United Kingdom (UK) and returned to Hong Kong today (March 25). Delegation leader and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Dr Hon Philip Wong Yu-hong described the visit as very successful and rewarding in enabling members to gain a better understanding of the mechanism, operation and working practices of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons of the UK Parliament (the Commons PAC).
"The experience of the Commons PAC in examining the value for money (VFM) reports produced by the Comptroller and Auditor General and its working practices and procedures are certainly valuable and provide very useful reference for the LegCo PAC in Hong Kong. The delegation is also glad that the visit has further enhanced the relationship and friendship between the two committees," Dr Hon Philip Wong Yu-hong said.
On the last day (March 24) of the visit, the delegation visited the National Audit Office (NAO) and received briefings on various issues, including the NAO's role and responsibilities in supporting the Commons PAC and other select committees of the UK Parliament, and the programming and planning of value for money studies carried out by the NAO.
The delegation also visited the Her Majesty's Treasury (HM Treasury) and met with the Permanent Secretary of the Treasury, Sir Nicholas Macpherson. Officials of the HM Treasury briefed the delegation on the latest developments in assurance and financial reporting policy, and the HM Treasury's role in working with the Commons PAC. Mr Rob Wall of the Cabinet Office introduced the UK Government's work in overseeing and providing guidelines on the corporate governance of statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations which receive government subvention. Delegation members found the briefings very useful and informative.
Ends/Friday, March 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:54
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