The South China Morning Post reported two weeks ago that investigators from the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had questioned him on October 15 and searched his office and home.

Mr Huang was widely believed to be involved with financial corruption in Guangdong province, but the court remained vague on his case yesterday.

Standing Committee press bureau chief Kan Ke also announced at yesterday's press conference that the committee had 'accepted the resignation of Zhu Zhigang , director of the NPC Standing Committee's budgetary affairs committee'.

'Zhu Zhigang was suspected of a serious breach of the law and party rules, and is under investigation,' Mr Kan said, without disclosing the results of the investigation.

Mr Zhu was subject to party disciplinary action for alleged corruption, Xinhua reported yesterday.

The investigation into Mr Zhu had started before the week-long National Day holiday, but he was not officially put under shuanggui - a form of party investigation - until last Wednesday, according to Caijing magazine.

Two deputies of the 11th NPC were also expelled yesterday for 'involvement in serious corruption'.

The two lawmakers are Zhu Siyi , general manager of Yida Fuel Development Limited Co in Guangdong, and Xie Bing , chairman of Miaodayi Meichu Food Co in Sichuan province .

Zhu Siyi was suspected of offering bribes and Mr Xie was suspected of fraud, but no other details were given by the NPC.

Besides passing amended versions of laws on fire prevention and state-owned assets, legislators also reviewed drafts of other laws, including the food safety law.

Laws on state compensation, the postal service and precautions against earthquakes and disaster reduction were also read and discussed during the session, and legislators have discussed a State Council plan on improving macroeconomic controls over financial markets.