WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1989
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VERY LITTLE HAD BEEN SAID IN THE WHITE PAPER ABOUT SETTING UP TOLERABLE STANDARDS OF POLLUTION TO BE ACHIEVED BY DEFINITE TARGET DATES.
HE SAID ENFORCEMENT OF TARGET PERFORMANCE MEASURES SHOULD HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED IN THE WHITE PAPER AND NOT RELEGATED TO AN APPENDIX OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT 1988 REVIEW.
"THIS TREATMENT GIVEN TO A MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE ENTIRE POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAMME LEAVES ME WITH A DISTINCT FEELING THAT THERE IS LESS THAN FULL COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THAT WHILE THE WHITE PAPER ACKNOWLEDGED THE INADEQUACY OF EXISTING INSPECTION MEASURES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD NOT BEEN EQUIPPED WITH THE NECESSARY POWERS NOR RESOURCES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
GOVERNMENT'S
THIS GAVE RISE TO DOUBTS ABOUT THE TRANSLATING THE WHITE PAPER INTO CONCRETE ACTION.
SINCERITY IN
"IF WE ARE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT POLLUTION, WE HAVE TO BE MUCH MORE COMMITTED IN OUR INVESTMENT, NOT ONLY IN DISPOSAL FACILITIES BUT ALSO IN EDUCATING THE YOUNG AND THE OLD AGAINST OUR TRADITIONAL NEGLECT OF THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
ROOM FOR CAUTION IN FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION
HONG KONG SHOULD BE ON GUARD AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF "BEING CARRIED AWAY TOO MUCH BY THE HOLINESS OF THE MISSION TO COMBAT POLLUTION", THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, MR CHEONG SAID IN MAKING FUTURE DECISIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HONG KONG MUST CONSTANTLY EVALUATE THE RELATIONSITEP BETWEEN COST, AFFORDABILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
HE SAID HIS CAUTIONARY NOTE BY NO MEANS REDUCED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORT то COMBAT SOME OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
THE URGENT
IN FACT, HE HAD URGED THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES TO SET UP A SPECIAL ALL-INDUSTRY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE WHITE PAPER.
MR CHEONG SAID THE FEDERATION WAS IN BROAD AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICY OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER.
/"HOWEVER,