End
(c)
(d)
- 21.
A large quantity of waste lubricating oils. were also exported for recycling elsewhere in the past.
We have taken legal action against one case of illegal disposal of waste lubricating oil in 1994, six cases in 1995 and seven cases during the first ten months of 1996. We are maintaining pressure on those who ignore the law, whilst the statistics at (b) indicate that an increasing proportion of waste lubricating oil is recycled.
It is government policy to encourage waste recovery and recycling activities. The Environmental Protection Department is in regular contact with vehicle and drivers' associations and garage operators to promote their awareness of the importance of proper disposal of waste lubricating oil. In addition, one of the oil companies will soon set up reception facilities on a trial basis at some of its petrol-filling stations to collect waste lubricating oil from drivers and vehicle owners for recycling. Government supports private-sector initiatives such as this and will encourage and assist similar schemes in future.
Control on Chinese medicine
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Kam-lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
The Department of Health recently announced that several brands of Niu Huang Chieh Tu Pien (a kind of Chinese patent medicine) in the market were found to contain high levels of arsenic, and this has aroused concern among the public about the regulation of Chinese patent medicines. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
of the categories of Chinese patent medicines selected by the Department of Health for testing, together with the number and results of such tests, in each of the past three years;