HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
香港立法局
19 July 1989
一九八九年七月十九日
115
commitment on the part of Government that these measures will be implemented. Indeed the White Paper contains no concrete proposals at all as to how enforcement is to be effectively carried out. Now that major policy initiatives have been identified and targetted and that we are proceeding to invest heavily in environmental improvements, I am of the opinion that it is time to lay down in clear terms proper enforcement guidelines and objectives so that they may be followed by the various law enforcement departments. It is also time to review three other issues relating to enforcement: firstly, whether the scope of enforcement duties of the various departments is sufficiently well defined; secondly, whether these departments are adequately staffed to carry out those duties; and thirdly, how the various departments carrying out law enforcement may be better co-ordinated to achieve more efficient results. I wish to add that although it is important that those enforcing the law should be able to respond quickly to public complaints, it is insufficient to merely respond to complaints without taking enforcement initiatives, for to do so would be merely to react and
not to act.
In regard to compliance, I support Government's objective to provide sufficient technical assistance and advice to potential polluters. As I have mentioned in the policy debate last year, I believe that, given proper guidance, many industrialists would be willing to undertake voluntary remedial measures with a view to eliminating pollution at source. In our battle against pollution, we need the concerted efforts and co-operation of all concerned. In my view, it is wrong to simply enforce the law without demonstrating and affording guidance as to how the law may be complied with. Training and provision of advice is of course fine but when it comes to installation of pollution control equipment, this may present some difficulty to the small factory operator. I feel that it is only right that these operators should not only be encouraged but also financially assisted to install such equipment. In this regard, I urge Government to consider allowing such equipment to qualify for a higher rate of tax concession. In cases where such equipment cannot be installed without creating financial hardship to the individual operator, perhaps Government should consider granting loans generously at low interest rates to enable the installation to be made.
Sir, the White Paper aims to put right a serious and deeply-entrenched wrong of the past. The various policies relating to environmental improvements require not only firm commitment on the part of Government but also the understanding and co-operation of the general public. It is a time not only for