Job No. 144070 (A)
HANSARD//OCT15:14-
112
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 15 October 1986
produced and made available to secondary schools for use in the academic year of 1986/87. These could be used in support of the existing integrated science curriculum (at junior secondary level) and the physics curriculum (at senior secondary level). They could also be integrated as part of the general education programmes for secondary school students. These proposals may well have a considerable impact on homework. In addition, two educational television programmes will be produced and made available to the schools.
The sixth observation is that the Hong Kong Government should set up an independent advisory committee to advise on matters related to nuclear energy (ref. 5.3.5.(1) of the report). The Government accepts that an independent advisory committee, dealing with certain aspects of nuclear energy including the formulation of proposals appropriate to Hong Kong's needs and circum- stances, might well be of value. The Government will therefore give further careful consideration to setting up such a committee. However, in the references appended to this observation, the report refers to the independent advisory role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the United States and the roles of the Atomic Energy Commission and Nuclear Safety Commission in Japan. Having regard to the fact that these bodies are essentially concerned with the safe construction and proper operation of commercial nuclear power stations within. their respective national boundaries, it would not be appropriate for Hong Kong to contemplate establishing an advisory body with responsibilities similar to those of the three commissions mentioned.
The seventh observation concerns the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is suggested that the Hong Kong Government should seek membership of this agency in order to establish an international link with nuclear safety agencies and to obtain information and advice on nuclear safety (ref. 5.3.6.(1) of the report). As the IAEA statute limits membership to states, it appears unlikely that Hong Kong is eligible for full membership. Nevertheless, both the United Kingdom and China are members. Close contacts with IAEA have been established through the British Government. Indeed an agreement was entered into between the British Government and the agency on 4 February 1983 with the express purpose of providing technical assistance to the British Government on behalf of Hong Kong. Appropriate information and technical assistance from the agency will continue to be made available to Hong Kong through this channel. In addition, it is envisaged that from time to time the Hong Kong Government will send observers to appropriate IAEA meetings, as part of a UK Government delegation. It was in this capacity that a Principal Assistant Secretary from the Economic Services Branch recently attended the special session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, which was convened to discuss general questions of nuclear safety.
I know that there is a wide range of opinion regarding this matter. Some are against all nuclear power and will not be convinced by any argument to the contrary. Apart from that group, I hope that all who have listened to or read