Leung Chun-ying, Cheng Yiu-tong, Charles Lee, Dr Leong Che-hung, James Kung, Edward Chen and Raymond Ch'ien have been appointed as Honours Committee members for 2006.

Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the committee considers all nominations for recommendation for an honour or award, which are given to individuals in recognition of their significant contribution to Hong Kong and for their dedicated public and community service.

Other committee members are the Financial Secretary, Secretary for Home Affairs, Public Service Commission Chairman and Chief Executive's Office Director or Permanent Secretary.

Non-official JP Selection Committee

For the Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee, also chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, five people have been appointed as members for 2006.

They are Leung Chun-ying, Andrew Liao, Bernard Chan, Charles Lee and Henry Fan. Other members include the Secretary for Home Affairs, Chief Executive's Office Director or Permanent Secretary, and the Director of Administration.

The selection committee considers nominations and makes recommendations for non-official JPs. The main function of JPs is to visit custodial institutions or detention centres to ensure their effective management and that no inmate is unfairly treated or deprived of his or her rights.

The annual Honours List and the list of new JP appointments are normally gazetted on July 1, the Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day.