XN000022-1978-07-19 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1978

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+3 IMILARLY, THE POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DETERMINED BY THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE NEW STANDING ORDER. I NIGHT ADD THAT THE GOVERNMENT TOC IS BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THE RESCLUTIC.+

HOWEVER, MR. JORDAN ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE FORMAL POWER OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WOULD BE LIMITED TO MAKING COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL NATURALLY GIVE GREAT WEIGHT TO THE COMMITTEE'S OPINIONS.

HE SAID THAT SINCE THE COMMITTEE HAS POWER TO REQUIRE OFFICIALS TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR EXPLANATIONS THAT THE COMMITTEE MAY REQUIRE IN PERFORMING ITS DUTIES, THE COMMITTEE'S VIEWS ON SUCH INFORMATION AND EXPLANATIONS CAN BE INCLUDED IN ITS REPORT.

+THE REPORT CAN THEN BE DEEATED IN THIS COUNCIL AND

THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRED TO ANSWER FOR ITS ACTIONS, + MR. JORDAN SAID.

+ IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS WILL ENABLE THE COMMITTEE TO PERFORM ITS WATCH-DOG' FUNCTION, HE ADDED.

J

NEW LEGISLATION BEING CONSIDERED TO CONTROL VEHICLES' GAS EMISSIONS

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THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING NEW LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF VEHICLE INSPECTION TO COVER GASEOUS EMISSIONS OTHER THAN SMOKE.

THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HARRY FANG ON THE EMISSION OF NOXIOUS FUMES BY MOTOR VEHICLES.

+ALL VEHICLES WITH PETROL ENGINES MANUFACTURED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1974 AND ALL DIESEL ENGINED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1976 MUST COMPLY WITH EMISSION STANDARDS LAID DOWN BY THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE BEFORE THEY CAN BE REGISTERED. MR. JONES SAID.

IN REPLY TO

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