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Based on the Department's past experience, the above-mentioned efforts have succeeded in containing the illegal dumping situation to a very large extent, although they have not yet been completely eradicated. The Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and if there is any need for additional resources to deal with the problem, suitable proposals will be made to Council.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, in the reply there are four main reasons explaining why private refuse collectors and cleansing companies have illegally dumped the refuse and debris. However one important reason which is not mentioned in the reply is the improper permits system adopted by EMSD. Paragraph B of the reply has touched on this point. I think the permit system is not reasonable because of the restriction on disposing 2 tons of refuse for 1 permit by one private refuse collection vehicle. If the weight of refuse exceeds two tons, the collector must carry the refuse back to their own places and therefore some of them illegally dump some of the refuse somewhere to pollute the environment. As a result USD have to deploy more staff and resources to clear the refuse and debris. I would like to ask apart from strengthening enforcement prosecution action as well as deploying more staff to clear the debris, are there any better methods to improve the situation?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):—As I mentioned, the permit system will offer an alternative for the private collectors to dump their refuse for disposal at the incineration plant. I think initially the two tons limit was fixed probably considering the demand and the need for disposals. But if this proves to be not enough, I think in the future the department will further review the maximum tonnage of refuse for disposal. As regards all the public health or hygiene problem, the essential thing would be to educate the public and make them understand that in order to keep environment clean, it is everybody's duty not to litter, not to dump the refuse everywhere indiscriminately. So I think the emphasis should be placed also on the education as well as on the enforcement or legislation side.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the permit system adopted by the EMSD is outside our purview. However, we are affected by the system. I just want to know can we take any measures to improve the situation?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):—As I said, we can issue more permits to the private collectors. We can increase the tonnage of refuse for disposal for each permit. So these are things that we can do in the future. Why I mention the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is to consult them about the flexibility. But in actual fact, the permit is issued by the USD to the private collectors.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—According to my understanding, the demand for permits to dispose refuse at the Kennedy Town Incineration Plant is greater than the permitted number of permits to be issued. As a result, they have to go to the Junk Bay Landfill. I would like to ask is it possible for this Council to consider measures to discourage members of the public to dispose of too much refuse so that the refuse problem can be resolved fundamentally and basically?
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DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):—I don't quite understand the question. Of course our primary aim should be to reduce the production of refuse not just to think of the way of disposal. I agree to that but I don't quite understand the question.
MR. CHAIRMAN (in English):—Would you clarify it?
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—As the present means to deal with the refuse is not sufficient can we educate the public to reduce the amount of refuse that they dispose of so that the problem can be resolved to a great extent?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English): Actually this can be related to the activities of the Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee. We advise people not to litter, not to illegally dump any refuse on the streets. Meanwhile, we advise them not to produce too much refuse. As in the case of plastic bags we try to convince them not to use too many plastic bags and eventually be disposed as domestic refuse.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, can Dr. LEUNG discuss with the department to take the initiative to contact the several hundreds private refuse companies and cleansing companies in the urban area and have a dialogue with them to see how much cooperation can be obtained from these companies so that they could be issued more permits and to see what action along the right lines is taken?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, this is more of a request rather than a question and the answer to the request will be: I would try my best to urge the department to encourage private collectors to try to obtain the permit.
2. MR. RONNIE M. C. WONG asked the following question (in English):— Over the years, many of the Urban Council facilities, namely parks and gardens, open space and recreation grounds, are funded and constructed by private companies and then handed over to the Council for management. I would like to know in taking over these facilities, is there any established criteria to evaluate them in terms of design, material, scope of development, progress of works and supervision?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied the question (in English): Councillor Ronnie WONG asks if there are established criteria for ensuring the recreation and open space projects built