XN000022-1974-01-17 — Page 3

2

Thursday, January 17, 1974

As Secretary for the Environment, he would be receiving the

committee's recommendations and would do all he could to ensure these

were implemented.

Ir. Robson recalled that the former Advisory Committee on

Environmental Pollution on Land and Water had been instrumental in having

a comprehensive investigation carried out into the extent and causes of

stream pollution in the New Territories.

The consulting engineers appointed for that purpose had now

produced their report, and it was hoped to have printed copies in the

hands of the committee within the next two months.

"It does not make very pleasant reading," he commented, "and

much will have to be done if the situation in the New Territories is to

be contained.

Where remedial measures affecting industry had to be introduced,

he hoped that the committee would persuade the industrial federations to

put their house "or should I say factories" in order.

-

"But by the same token, care will have to be taken not to go

to the extreme of recommending the imposition of impractical, stringent

conditions on existing industries which could have the effect of putting

them out of business, he added.

#

"What I suggest should be the aim is to insist upon high standards

of cleanliness from new industries and plante coupled with at least primary

treatment of foul offluents emanating from existing sources.

/Commenting