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MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I think Mr. WONG'S last question somehow relates to his first question as well. At the present moment, I do not have the exact details of the Department's participation but I think that we have to trust that the Department knows what it is doing and I am sure the information can be provided by the Department to Mr. WONG later.
As to the question of solar energy, I understand Mr. WONG is concerned about what is going on. I think quite a few of our facilities have been using solar energy. On a few occasions, in various Select Committees meetings, this point has already been raised and answered by the Department. But if Mr. WONG wants to pursue further, I am sure the Department can inform him as to exactly what is the Government's policy on solar energy. I cannot answer him without a clear understanding of what the Government is doing in this regard.
I am not trying to dodge the issue but I do not have the facts to answer them. I am sure that after the meeting, the Department can let Mr. WONG have the answers.
MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am very sorry but I totally disagree with the answer because I think, apart from myself, Mr. CHAN will not be satisfied too.
Mr. Young is talking about energy saving but he is not telling us a single thing about what has been studied and what kind of study has been carried out. Solar energy has been raised before and the question of whether this has been included in the study should be answered today. But from my experience, when the Chairman said they would answer or give me a reply, it had never been done. I have never received a single answer, either privately or publicly. So I hope this time, I can have a definite answer on this energy saving consultancy and what studies have been done.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr. WONG, I have to make a ruling now. This is not a session for discussion, it is for questions and answers. Since there have been a lot of questions where the Chairman has repeatedly said that he would give you the answers later on, meaning that he has no information at hand, may I just refer this issue to the Administration Select Committee for discussion. The Department would have to produce a paper with full background information for discussion. It would not be appropriate to insist on the answers to a question which the Chairman has no information in hand.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think Mr. YOUNG has not answered one of my simple questions. Will the Department consider drawing up some internal guidelines? Can you answer yes or no or you don't know.
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):-There is a guideline for all the staff in terms of energy savings. Aside from checking the type of energy consumption, staff are reminded to switch off lights, computer and other electrical equipment when not in use and to keep doors and windows closed in places provided with air-conditioning or to use stairs instead of lifts, reduce water consumption, etc.
At the present moment, as far as I know, the Department thinks that this is sufficient and obviously, if members feel that this is not sufficient, we can always ask the Department to look at it further and work out something.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Well, Mr. Paul YOUNG, may I request you formally that you take this issue up at your Select Committee meeting as an agenda item. No further answering and replying without any substance. The decision will be taken by your Select Committee. Obviously, you have no information to answer the questions adequately.
MR. JASON YUEN KING-YUK (in Cantonese): Can I ask one further supplementary question?
CHAIRMAN (in English): No. Please attend the Administration Select Committee for discussion of this item. We cannot discuss without background information.
5. MR. JASON YUEN KING-YUK asked the following question (in Cantonese):- While I understand that Refuse Collection Points (RCP's) are necessary devils to keep the city clean within residential areas, however, can the Council be enlightened about the general policy and selection criteria of 'suitable locations' for such RCP's without much resentment from neighbouring tenants? In the light of such criteria, can the Council be further enlightened as to why the proposed RCP below the elevated highway-bridge at the end of Tsing Fung Street and crossed by Hing Fat Street at the N.E. corner of the Victoria Park has met strong local objections as reported in the media? As there is already a permanent, well equipped and well maintained proper RCP at Wing Hing Street which is only about 100 metre in distance from this proposed Tsing Fung/Hing Fat Street location, may I know what is the rationale for building the new RCP? Is it possible that one of these two RCPs could be made redundant because of under-utilisation?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): The question on refuse collection points should be answered by Professor LEUNG of the Public Health Select Committee. However, because this question deals with parks, therefore I am answering the question. If the answer is not comprehensive enough, perhaps Professor LEUNG can supplement.
Mr. YUEN's first question concerns the general policy and selection criteria of locations for refuse collection points (RCPs).
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