HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
125
see the project to be deterred by individual decision-makers of the construction project with whitewash reasons. I believe that the public really wish to express their views on whether a modern abattoir should be constructed in the New Territories as soon as possible. We might as well consult the public so as to avoid the construction project, which will resolve many problems, from being deterred by certain decision-makers. I also wish all Members of the Council would speak in one voice, hoping that the Legislative Council would support the construction project as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the departments concerned should within a short time disclose the requests of those intending to deter the construction project so as to silence them, and make the wish of Hong Kong and Kowloon residents come true. That concludes my speech.
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):—As mentioned by Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung, the immediate construction of a new abattoir in Sheung Shui to replace the old ones in the urban area was supported by the majority of Members at the Council meeting last year. That was not the achievement of a single party but the fruit of a common hope and united efforts. It was a pity that certain parties said in one way in the Urban Council, and then behaved in another in the Legislative Council. Regrettably, they rejected the funding request and thus, delayed the funding. Now that Mr. Wong Kwok-hing has submitted the matter to the monthly meeting again. I hope all of us would pay attention to it and support it by dispelling personal biases and prejudiced party lines, in the hope of relocating the old abattoirs and tackling the environmental problems as soon as possible.
I very much understand Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung's situation in relation to his amended motion because he has already said that the Kennedy Town Abattoir is located in the Western District, which is his constituency. I think Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung should be more broad-minded. The abattoir, though located in the Western District, serves all residents in both Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island. It is every Councillor's responsibility to bring about the relocation of the existing abattoir to Sheung Shui, which is far away from residential areas so that the urban environment can be improved. It is neither a problem of regionalism nor trespass on autonomy. I hope that Mr. CHAN will be broad-minded.
As pointed out by Mr. WONG Kwok-hing, the amended motion is superfluous in that it only mentions wagons loaded with livestock. Do vessels loaded with livestock need no environmental protection measures? If yes, only certain types of vehicles will be regulated. In fact, the original motion summarises all the environmental impacts on nearby residents. As Mr. LAI has just said, all the environmental problems will be readily solved once the abattoir is relocated. I hope that, regardless of which political parties we belong to, we should work in joint effort to solve the abattoir problems after this discussion. That is why I appeal to Mr. Chan Kwok-leung to be broad-minded and support the original motion so that it can be carried at an earlier
Page 128 of 498
Page 128 of 498
Page 128 of 498