HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
香港立法局
19 July 1989
一九八九年七月十九日
99
time to Act" published in conjunction with "World Environmental Day" on 5 June 1989 includes a package of action proposals including legislative sanctions, massive clean-up operations, preventive measures, and environmental education. On the whole, I find the White Paper quite acceptable as a policy statement aimed to save our environment.
Today, I will offer some comments on Chapter 7 of the White Paper Adequacy of Current Arrangements with particular reference to technical assistance and advice. Sir, I have said many times in the past that while legislative sanctions are a must in any attempt to reduce industrial waste, the Government must realize the unique situation in Hong Kong. Its densely populated urban areas and a small overall land area are combined with a reliance on its ability to maintain its competitive industrial edge. Over 97% of our manufacturing industries are small industries employing less than 100 employees; and many are operating in multi-storey buildings with severe space constraints. Solutions to environmental problems overseas cannot be blindly applied in Hong kong. Many factories simply do not have the space to accommodate extra pollution preventive equipment available in shops. Environmental protection measures need to be custom-made to suit Hong Kong's unique situation. Sir, I am pleased to note that the White Paper has recognized that "industries operate under conditions peculiar to Hong Kong, and pollution equipment may have to be specially designed and manufactured." It went on to say that "if the smaller factory operators are not to be squeezed out of business by the pollution controls that must be applied, they will have to get assistance and advice to help them to comply."
As the way forward, the White Paper suggested, and I strongly endorse, that the Government should reach out to more small factories and provide them with consultancy services at attractive rates, and to undertake more and better long- term research and development in the clean technology, pollution control and waste recovery fields. While the intention and will to improve our environment by providing assistance to the small-time industries should be applauded, I hope the Government will not merely make empty promises, but will act now to demonstrate its sincerity. I suggest that the Government should review the current level and mechanisms of support in order to work out the most effective means of providing consultancy services on a non-profit making basis. This would naturally involve research and development into the best financially viable system most suited to the local manufacturing situations.
I am sure that my colleagues in the tertiary institutions and in other organizations, such as the Hong Kong Productivity Council, would be pleased to