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Now, we've started this process of consultation, not least regarding the financial incentives, to encourage a switch. I hope during the course of the consultation we will manage to encourage the trades involved, as well as passengers, as well as pedestrians and the general public, of the good sense of what we are proposing, but there isn't an I think that it's in everyone's easy way of achieving the objective that we want. interest, and not least the transport industry, to have cleaner transport in Hong Kong and I hope we can manage that.
Even if the Honourable lady may take exception to some of the things that we are attempting to do in switching from diesel to petrol, I hope that she'll totally agree with us that where there's no petrol alternative, it is important with larger diesel vehicles to have annual smoke inspections, to have tighter emission controls and to increase penalties. I think that should be an issue on which everybody could agree.
Mrs Miriam Lau (in Chinese): May I follow up. Mr Governor, I share your desire to protect our environment but my point is, is this proposal both fair and just in achieving those goals? Now, I did pose a question a moment ago, i.e. this particular plan, will it be implemented only if it's got the support of the community and the trade? I want a very clear answer. In other words, will you go ahead merely because the community is behind you, without any regard for the trade?
Governor: Of course we have to take account of the trade, but we have to weigh in the balance the overall community view and the overall community interest. And I don't think anyone - not even somebody representing a particular functional constituency would argue that the whole of the community interest should be put on one side if that particular functional constituency isn't totally in support of the measure. I actually think that a number of sensible and public spirited transport undertakers would actually accept the arguments for cleaner transport and I'm sure their point of view will be eloquently put forward by the Honourable lady. At the end of the day, or at the end of the debate, representing the community as it does, if we bring forward legislation, this Council will take a view and I hope that when it does so the Honourable lady's eloquence will be one of the decisive factors in securing improved air quality for us in Hong Kong without sacrificing the legitimate needs of our transport industry.
President: Dr Cheung Bing-leung.
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