XN000022-1976-08-04 — Page 11

10

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1976

WAYS TO TACKLE CAR EXHAUST POLLUTION

*****

THE PROBLEM OF CAR EXHAUST POLLUTION IS BEING TACKLED IN SEVERAL WAYS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. ALAN ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.

+TAKEN TOGETHER, AND AS THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IS INCREASED AS PLANNED, THESE MEASURES SHOULD BRING ABOUT A GROWING IMPROVEMENT IN THE REDUCTION OF EXHAUST POLLUTION IN AREAS OF DENSE TRAFFIC,+ HE SAID.

DRIVERS OR OWNERS OF VEHICLES REPORTED TO BE EMITTING EXCESSIVE SMOKE ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEIR VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION AND ARE LIABLE TO BE PROSECUTED UNDER ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, HE POINTED OUT.

DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, OWNERS OF SOME 4,000 SUCH VEHICLES WERE REQUIRED TO RECTIFY ANY FAULTS FOUND, AND THERE WERE 300 PROSECUTIONS FOR THIS OFFENCE.

+REGULATIONS ARE BEING AMENDED TO PROVIDE LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR THE USE OF SMOKE METERS TO MEASURE EXHAUST EMISSIONS ON

THE SPOT. BOTH THE POLICE AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ARE EQUIPPED WITH THESE INSTRUMENTS AND THE IR USE WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO ENFORCE THE REGULATIONS, MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID.

INTRODUCTION OF THE FIXED PENALTIES SCHEME, WHICH INCLUDES THE EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE SMOKE AS AN OFFENCE, SHOULD ALSO LEAD TO MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL.

+ IN ADDITION, ANY VEHICLES CALLED IN FOR TESTING FOR OTHER REASONS, ARE ALSO CHECKED FOR EXCESSIVE SMOKE AND IF NECESSARY REMEDIAL WORK IS ORDERED. PLANS ARE IN HAND TO GREATLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT CAN BE TESTED IN THIS WAY, HE CONTINUED.

WITH REGARD TO NEW VEHICLES, MR. ARMSTRONG-WRIGHT SAID, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, LEGISLATION HAD BEEN INTRODUCED REQUIRING THAT NEW VEHICLES IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MEET THE SAME HIGH STANDARDS OF EXHAUST EMISSION AS THOSE IMPOSED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMON MARKET COUNTRIES.

+THESE STANDARDS APPLY IN HONG KONG TO PETROL ENGINED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1974, AND TO DIESEL ENGINED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR. HE ADDED.

/11