The Government makes appointments to statutory bodies on the basis of concerned individuals' merits, taking into account a candidate's ability, expertise, experience, integrity and commitment to public service, Secretary for Education Eddie Ng said today.
It also gives due regard to the bodies' statutory provisions, and their functions and nature of business, he added.
Mr Ng was responding to a lawmaker’s questions and said a decision on appointments to the University of Hong Kong Council will be announced at an appropriate time.
He noted that the University of Hong Kong Ordinance statutes stipulated that the council may still exercise its powers notwithstanding a vacancy in the body.
He said to his understanding, at its meeting held on November 12, the HKU Council discussed arrangements while the office of the council chairman was left vacant, including the election of a chairman among the council members to act at the meeting and the election of a spokesperson for the council.
He added that apart from members appointed by the Chancellor, a seat under another membership category of the HKU Council is also vacant for the time being, he said.
There have been similar cases with other universities where the office of council chairman was left vacant temporarily for various reasons, he added.
