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Mr President, the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill seeks to provide for regulation-making powers to deal with the payment and collection of charges, as well as measures to ensure the maintenance of orderly conduct at waste disposal facilities and to take action against any evasion of charges. Charging schemes are necessary instruments to create an economic incentive for waste producers to practise waste minimisation, reuse and recycling. The amendments proposed in the Bill will facilitate the implementation of charging schemes under the WDO by addressing the concerns of the affected parties. I therefore commend the Bill to Members for their favourable consideration.
Thank you, Mr President.
End
Health care policy
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Yeung Sum and a reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council whether, in reviewing the existing policy on fees and charges for medical services in the public sector, consideration will be given to modifying the existing policy by introducing a "means test" system?
Reply:
Mr President,
Our healthcare policy is to ensure that no one is denied adequate medical treatment through lack of means. This implies that everyone should be allowed to enjoy equal access to medical services provided in the public sector, irrespective of their financial status.