miscellaneous resource materials Panel on Environmental Affairs 9.f.ii Panel on Environmental Affairs within Hong Kong waters, marine Membership of the LegCo debris, contaminated mud disposal Panel on Environmental The monitoring of government pol- in East Sha Chau and pollution of Affairs icies on issues relating to environ- Shing Mun River. The Panel called Hon Christine LOH Kung-wai mental and conservation matters in on the Administration to take both (Chairman) Dr Hon John TSE Wing-ling the legislature during the year of short-term and long-term measures (Deputy Chairman) 1997 was undertaken by a panel, to preserve marine resources. Hon Edward S T HO, JP Dr Hon LEONG Che-hung, JP both under the former Legislative Hon Emily LAU Wai-hing Council (LegCo) before 1 July and As long term planning was crucial to Dr Hon Samuel WONG Ping-wai, JP (Until 4 June 1997) the Provisional Legislative Council the success of environmental protec- Hon IP Kwok-him (PLC) after the establishment of the tion, the Panel made suggestions to Hon MOK Ying-fan Hon Mrs Elizabeth WONG, JP Hong Kong Special Administrative the Administration on the draft Region. outline of the Fourth White Paper The subject of waste management Review on the Environment. The was also a major concern. The The Trade Effluent Surcharge Panel also emphasized the signifi- Administration briefed the Panel on Scheme was a subject high on the cance of accuracy of demographic the consultation paper for the draft agenda of the former LegCo Panel projections which formed the com- Waste Reduction Plan for Hong on Environmental Affairs. Prior to mon basis for government planning Kong. Members exchanged views commencement of a comprehensive in various programme areas. with the Administration on the review of the Scheme undertaken by management of municipal wastes, consultants, the Panel met with the In the wake of the spate of sewage construction wastes, and difficult restaurant trade to receive their leaks which resulted in the tempo- wastes such as clinical wastes and views on the Scheme and requested rary closure of some beaches in Tuen chemical wastes. To gain a better the Administration to relay the Mun and Stanley in July 1997, the understanding of the treatment trade’s concerns to the consultants. Provisional Legislative Council process, the Panel visited the Tsing After completion of the review, the Panel convened a special meeting to Yi Chemical Waste Treatment Panel received a briefing by the discuss with the Administration on Centre and the South East New consultants on the Final Report and, the effectiveness of emergency Territories Landfill. Given the diffi- in the light of the findings, urged the response plan. Noting that the culties in identifying new sites for Administration to work out and put Administration had introduced a landfills for disposal of wastes, in place as early as possible im- series of measures to improve the members supported that waste-to- provements to the Scheme, in partic- procedure for responding to emer- energy incineration should be the ular the appeal procedures. gency situations which might affect way forward and waste reduction beach water quality, members was the only sustainable method in Marine conservation remained a stressed the need for strengthening the long run. Members urged the priority area and the former LegCo communication among government Administration to map out the Panel held a series of meetings with departments and better enforcement overall and co-ordinated strategies marine conservation groups and the of environmental laws to protect in managing various types of wastes Administration to discuss clam dig- water quality. instead of taking a piece-meal ging activities and fish bombing approach to address the problem. 226 ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1998 miscellaneous resource materials Air quality was examined by both petroleum gas vehicles as clean Membership of Provisional LegCo on Environment Affairs the former and the present Panels. alternatives to diesel vehicles. The To contain air pollution at source, Administration, after consulting Dr Hon Mrs TSO WONG Man-yin members deliberated the Adminis- the transport trade, deliberated (Chairman) Hon LAU Kong-wah tration’s vehicle emission control with members of the present (Deputy Chairman) strategy and the measures it Environmental Affairs and the Hon David CHU Yu-lin Hon Edward HO Sing-tin, JP contemplated to abate diesel vehicle Transport Panels on the operational Dr Hon Raymond HO Chung-tai, JP emissions including launching a details of the Liquefied Petroleum Prof Hon NG Ching-fai Hon Henry WU trial scheme of liquefied petroleum Gas Taxi Trial Scheme. Subject to Hon Ronald ARCULLI, JP gas taxis. In view of the strong the outcome of the Trial Scheme, Dr Hon LEONG Che-hung, JP Hon Mrs Sophie LEUNG LAU Yau-fun, JP objections from the transport trade members supported the introduc- Hon MOK Ying-fan to the Diesel to Petrol Scheme in the tion of liquefied petroleum gas as a Hon CHAN Choi-hi Hon CHAN Wing-chan past, members of the former LegCo clean alternative to diesel to tackle Hon YEUNG Yiu-chung Panel stressed the importance of air pollution at source. Hon IP Kwok-him consulting the trade on any pro- Hon Mrs Miriam LAU Kin-yee, JP Dr Hon LAW Cheung-kwok posed plan to introduce liquefied Hon CHOY So-yuk ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1998 227.