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reports are well known as experts in this particular field.
(c) The main relevant field of pollution which falls within the Council's ambit generally is the threat of oil and other effluents to the beaches and their users. This is essentially a question of the prevention of spillages and the control of effluents discharged into the sea.
Government's advisers on these matters are the Directors of Marine and of Public Works respectively. Although I am assured that every effort will be made to ensure the Council's interests on these matters are fully protected, I have been informed that it is unlikely for this Council to be directly consulted about the conditions or the legislation required to effect control.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I have a number of supplementaries. Perhaps it might be better if I took them individually.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I beg your pardon?
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-Perhaps it would be preferable if I put each supplementary individually.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Yes, I should think so, please.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-The first one is that I gather the report commissioned by the Government and referred to in the answer is a report of a specific application made by an oil company. As a result, it would seem difficult to me to read the report in isolation without also reading the oil company's application itself. Would that application also be published with the file copies given to the interested parties?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I am afraid I have no information what the report will contain, whether it will contain the application itself, or not. I can only suggest that we consider the report and then make further representations to the Government as may be necessary.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-Thank you very much. The second point is that I note that the Government will not be consulting the Urban Council in the proposed control measures of the proposed project. Under the circumstances, does the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee consider that the Council would be adequately discharging its responsibilities with regard to beaches without such consultation?
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tion and Amenities Select Committee consider that the Council would be adequately discharging its responsibilities with regard to beaches without such consultation?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that the matter does not lie within our hands. Government have indicated that we are not likely to be consulted, and that is what we have to take. I must say that I share Mr. T. S. Lo's concern in this matter. Obviously this is a very big project, with enormous potential both for good and for harmful effects, and I at least share his unease about this situation.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-Thank you very much. Is it possible then, Mr. Chairman, for the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee to consider and recommend to the Council what steps we could take, as far as possible, to discharge our responsibilities, including what steps we should take in asking the Central Government to consult us and to release information and so forth, and let us see what we can do?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Certainly, Mr. Chairman, we should certainly do that, and I think we must also consider the steps we might have to take in case oil spillages do occur and the beaches are spoiled. We must seek information from other parts of the world as to what can be done in these cases: how to get rid of oil from beaches, whether by use of detergents or some other materials, or any other way.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-Finally, Mr. Chairman, it would appear from the fact that the consultant's report is going to be published, and knowing the workings of Government, these things tend to mean that they have decided to go ahead with the project. If there is going to be anything that we can do to assist in preventing pollution to beaches, it will have to be done very quickly. Might I suggest, please, that this matter be considered really urgently by the relevant Select Committee?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that since we have been informed that we are not likely to be consulted about the legislations or the conditions to effect control, the only steps we can take is at the other end, to prevent oil coming onto the beaches or to get rid of it after it comes on to the beaches. That seems to me regrettable, but it seems to be the fact of the situation.
MR. T. S. Lo (in English):-Is there not one other thing that we can do, and that is really to test the consultants' report given to the