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The other objectives of the Third Review are to report on the progress on the long term environmental action plans set out in the 1989 White Paper; to stimulate care and interest for the environment and to enlist public support for essential programmes and community consensus on the way forward.
Of the 132 targets reported on in the Review, 118 either have been completed or are on schedule. Only 14 items or about 10% are reported as behind schedule.
Mr Leung said: "While there is no room for complacency, the fact that we have achieved a 90% success rate on the targets we set out to accomplish is not bad for a programme of this scope, cost and complexity."
The main areas that are behind schedule are the construction of a central incinerator for medical waste and animal carcasses where the proposal is being re- examined in the light of comments received; charging for landfill disposal where arrangements are being revised to address some truck operators' concern about the payment method and more stringent control on emissions by diesel vehicles where proposals are being re-examined following a public consultation exercise last year.
Mr Leung noted that the Government is committed to further improving the environment in HK. Public expenditure on environment now accounts for a good percentage of Government's total spending. It has been growing in real terms from a modest 0.8% of Government's total expenditure in 1989 when the first White Paper was issued to 3.1 % in the 96-97 Budget.
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Committee stage amendments will have adverse effect
In response to press enquiries on a Committee stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill to be moved by Legislative Councillor, Mr James To, a spokesman for the Security Branch gave the following replies today (Monday):
"At the last meeting of the Security Panel on March 11, the Deputy Secretary for Security, Mrs Carrie Yau, had indicated that consideration was being given to briefing Legislative Council members in confidence on the role and function of the Security Wing.