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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1987
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND INSPECTION PROCEDURES IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FOR RENEWAL OF LICENCES.
+CLAUSES 5(B) AND 8(A) AND (C) MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL ONLY APPLY WHEN THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SO DIRECTS,+ HE ADDED.
CLAUSE 5(C) DELETED THE REQUIREMENT IN SUB-SECTION 16(4) OF THE ORDINANCE FOR THE AUTHORITY TO RENEW OR REFUSE TO RENEW A LICENCE 21 DAYS BEFORE ITS EXPIRY,
+PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE DRAFT REGULATIONS
TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO OPERATIONS BECAUSE OF A DELAY IN LICENCE RENEWAL,+ HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS SAID CLAUSES 6, 13 AND 14 WOULD PERMIT THE TRANSFER OF LICENCES, WHICH WAS NOT POSSIBLE UNDER THE ORDINANCE AT PRESENT, WHILE CLAUSES 6, 7 AND 12 PROVIDED PENALTIES FOR THE SUPPLY OF FALSE INFORMATION AND FOR CONTRAVENING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A LICENCE OR EXEMPTION.
+THERE IS PROVISION IN CLAUSE 15(B) FOR PENALTIES FOR CONTINUING CONTRAVENTIONS, WHICH ALSO DO NOT EXIST AT PRESENT.
+CLAUSES 9 AND 10 STIPULATE THAT ONLY THE PERSON WHOSE LICENCE IS CANCELLED OR VARIED OR THE OWNER OF THE PREMISES WHOSE EXEMPTION IS CANCELLED OR VARIED MAY LODGE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION, HE SAID.
MR CHAMBERS ALSO SAID THE DEFINITION OF IRON AND STEEL WORKS+ IN THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE WAS EXPANDED TO BRING IT INTO LINE WITH DEFINITIONS OF OTHER METALLURGICAL WORKS. A GAS PRODUCTION PLANT AT TAI PO IS ADDED TO THE THIRD SCHEDULE, WHICH IS A LIST OF PLANTS EXCLUDED FROM EXEMPTION.
+THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT WHEN A LICENCE OR EXEMPTION IS CANCELLED OR VARIED IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST COMPENSATION SHALL BE PAYABLE,+ MR CHAMBERS SAID,
+CLA IMANTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AGREE WITH THE AUTHORITY ON THE COMPENSATION TO BE PAID MAY HAVE THEIR CLAIMS REFERRED TO A TRIBUNAL SPECIALLY APPOINTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOURTH SCHEDULE.
HE SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SUCH CASES TO BE DEALT WITH BY THE LANDS TRIBUNAL AND CLAUSES 18 AND 19 EFFECTED THIS CHANGE.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THESE DRAFT REGULATIONS HAD UNDERGONE EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY. HE URGED THE OPERATORS AFFECTED TO STUDY THEM CAREFULLY AND ANY COMMENTS AND ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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