XN000022-1972-06-21 — Page 25

25

Wednesday, June 21, 1972

"All crude oil smells," he said. The smell from oil refineries was

the biggest air pollution problem. If set up on Lama, the south side of Hong

Kong from the Peak down to Pokfulam and Deep Water Bay would be affected by

this obnoxious odour. This would cause complaints from the residents and would

also downgrade the property values.

Mr. Lo said liquid waste discharge contained various minerals which

would poison marine life in the waters surrounding the plant. Poisoned fish

could poison the people who ate them. It was therefore necessary to insist

upon controls for the disposal of the effluent.

It had been stated that an oil refinery will bring economic benefits

to Hong Kong. Mr. Lo wanted Government to state how much labour would be

employed and how much revenue would be received, "How would this revenue weigh

against the potential revenue which would be gained from selling the land for

private residential development?" he asked,

Although an oil refinery might be of benefit to Hong Kong in the event

of the disruption of oil supplies from overseas it could also invite outside

trouble.

Finally Mr. Lo queried whether the oil refinery could not more suitably

be located on Tsing Yi Island where permission had already been given for one

oil refinery. The water at Tsing Yi Island was deeper although the site formation

work would be more expensive. "Should we sacrifice public interest for the sake of

saving some capital expenditure for a private oil company?" Mr. Lo asked.

/"Since