Reply:
15
Mr President,
I shall answer the three parts in this question in turn:
(a)
(b)
(c)
The areas of Hong Kong designated for military firing practice have been those listed in successive Schedules to the Defences (Firing Areas) Ordinance (Cap 196) and the Air Armament Practice Ordinance (Cap. 194). The areas cited by Mr Lo is the former Port Shelter firing range covering much of the area between High Island and the Clearwater Bay Peninsula. Most of the range has ceased to be used for firing in the mid- 1970s. The ranges which are still in use are Castle Peak, Lo Wu and San Wai.
In 1980, the Queen's Gurkha Engineers conducted a search of paths and some private lots on Kau Sai Chau, near the edge of the range, where there were still some farming activities. In 1983, they completed a search ten metres either side of the footpath across the Lung Ha Wan peninsula in the Clearwater Bay Country Park. They found nothing of significance. The Crown land that comprises most of the former range was not searched. We do not know the number of dud shells left behind in firing ranges but we estimate that the danger posed to the public is not high. According to the records of the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Bureau of the Police kept since 1970s, there have been no injuries or deaths in Sai Kung Area due to residents picking up live ordnance.
A clearance of the entire former range areas would be a major exercise. Both the British Forces in Hong Kong and the Police do not have the necessary manpower, equipment or expertise to carry out the task. To alert members of the public the potentia! danger, warning notices are maintained around the land periphery of the former Port Shelter firing range. If the public identify any suspicious item, they should report immediately to the Police. Never pick them up or interfere with them. The Explosives Ordnance Disposal Bureau of the Police also have established procedure to deal with them. The Bureau maintains a duty team on 24-hour stand-by to render safe all finds of this kind.
End