JUL 16 '86 17:09 TIBCOOL) HK GOVT
P.13
Annex 1
Views of the Kwai Chung & Tsing Yi District Board on the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant.
I spoke with Mr. Peter Leung, ADO (N) KÝC&TY today, who provided me with the following verbal report :-
J
KWC& TY DB meeting on 3.7.86 the subject was raised for discussion at the DB meeting on 3rd July. On the whole, members' reaction was sensible and rational, the discussion taking the format of an academic discussion rather than an emotive debate. Some members expressed concern over the safety measures and contingency plans for Hong Kong, demanding that the Joint Venture Company (JVC) offer comprehensive guarantees that no nuclear accident would occur in Daya Bay. Others went so far as to suggest that HK's China Light & Power Co. should consider refusing to purchase elec- tricity from the plant, though this was not widely supported.
As a result of the meeting, it was suggested that a further special meeting be convened by the Environmental Affairs Committee of the KwCsTY DB to discuss the issue and invite experts to attend to answer questions.
Special Meeting of the Environmental Affairs Committee of the KWC&TY DB held on 8.7.86
The majority of DB members saw fit to give time to attend the
Two meeting, indicating a true interest in the subject matter. lecturers/experts were invited to attend, namely :-
Dr. YEUNG Man-kit
HKU
Engineering Faculty
Dr. YEUNG Kwong-hoi CU
Physics Dept.
Drs. Yeung and Yeung gave members a talk (in layman's terms) on the general principles of nuclear physics, the design aspects and the licensing criteria required in order that safety requirements be met.
The major point put forward by the lecturers was that so long as design specifications were met and the necessary safety measures installed, the public need not fear. Furthermore, Drs. Yeung & Yeung pointed out that the decision to build a nuclear plant and all the safety/contingency plans which go with it, should rest with scientific experts in the field and the general public should not become too emotive on an issue upon which they may be ill-informed.
DB members raised many general (rather predictable) questions, all of which appeared to be satisfactorily answered by Drs. Yeung and Yeung. ADO (N) advised that, as far as KwC&TY DB was concerned, members could be expected to view the issue in a rational and sound light.
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