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THE BILLS WILL BE READ A SECOND TIME ON THURSDAY (APRIL 18), PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT. ALSO ON THURSDAY DEBATE WILL RESUME ON THE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984, PRIOR TO THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND FINAL READING.
THERE WILL ALSO BE THREE STATEMENTS - ONE BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, ON THE REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ON THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1985-86- ONE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1984, AND ONE BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON S.L. CHEN, ON THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC ANNUAL REPORT 1983-84.
EPCOM STUDIES DRAFT RULES FOR WATER QUALITY
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THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM), TODAY EXAMINED A SET OF DRAFT REGULATIONS WHICH ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER QUALITY PROTECTION MEASURES UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE PASSED IN 1980.
THE ORDINANCE ITSELF IS AN ENABLING ORDINANCE AND IT PROVIDES THAT REGULATIONS (FOR DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION) MAY BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-N-COUNCIL AFTER CONSULTATION WITH EPCOM.
THE MAIN LEGISLATION EMBODIES THREE PRINCIPLES IN ITS APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF WATER POLLUTION:
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IN THE SHORT TERM, IT IS POSSIBLE TO CONTAIN THE PRESENT SITUATION AND TO EXEMPT EXISTING POLLUTING EMISSIONS FROM CONTROLS WITHOUT REQUIRING ABATEMENT, EXCEPT WHERE ADVERSE EFFECTS TO THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC OR TO THE DRAINAGE OR SEWERAGE SYSTEM ARE INVOLVED;
IN THE MEDIUM TERM, IT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT FURTHER DETERIORATION BY INTRODUCING CONTROLS ON NEW EMISSIONS, HAVING REGARD TO THE STATE OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND ITS CAPACITY TO ABSORB OR DISPERSE THE NEW EMISSIONS; AND
* IN THE LONGER TERM, IT IS DESIRABLE TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF THE WATERS OF HONG KONG THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF INDUSTRIAL RENEWAL AND REDEVELOPMENT.
THE PROPOSED CONTROLS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP ON THE BASIS THAT FLEXIBILITY - BOTH IN APPLICATION AND IN IMPLEMENTATION - IS ESSENTIAL IN HONG KONG'S CIRCUMSTANCES: LEGISLATION PRODUCED SHOULD NOT MERELY COPY CONTROLS IN FORCE ELSEWHERE.
ALTHOUGH THE