25
Wednesday, June 21, 1972
"All crude oil smells," he said. The smell from oil refineries was
the biggest air pollution problem. If set up on Lama, the south side of Hong
Kong from the Peak down to Pokfulam and Deep Water Bay would be affected by
this obnoxious odour. This would cause complaints from the residents and would
also downgrade the property values.
Mr. Lo said liquid waste discharge contained various minerals which
would poison marine life in the waters surrounding the plant. Poisoned fish
could poison the people who ate them. It was therefore necessary to insist
upon controls for the disposal of the effluent.
It had been stated that an oil refinery will bring economic benefits
to Hong Kong. Mr. Lo wanted Government to state how much labour would be
employed and how much revenue would be received, "How would this revenue weigh
against the potential revenue which would be gained from selling the land for
private residential development?" he asked,
Although an oil refinery might be of benefit to Hong Kong in the event
of the disruption of oil supplies from overseas it could also invite outside
trouble.
Finally Mr. Lo queried whether the oil refinery could not more suitably
be located on Tsing Yi Island where permission had already been given for one
oil refinery. The water at Tsing Yi Island was deeper although the site formation
work would be more expensive. "Should we sacrifice public interest for the sake of
saving some capital expenditure for a private oil company?" Mr. Lo asked.
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