XN000022-1979-04-12 — Page 8

7

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1979

GOVT STUDYING WAYS TO SAVE FUEL

*****

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON, CONFIRMED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF MEASURES TOWARDS ACHIEVING A FIVE PER CENT REDUCTION IN CONSUMPTION OF FUEL OIL BY MEANS OF REDUCED CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICITY.

THE MEASURES INCLUDED A BAN ON THE USE OF ELECTRIC LIGHT FOR ADVERTISING, DISPLAY OR FLOODLIGHTING EXCEPT BETWEEN 7 P.M. AND 11.30 P.M.- SAVINGS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S USE OF ELECTRICITY- DAYLIGHT SAVING REDUCED SPINNING RESERVE BY THE POWER COMPANIES- NO AIR CONDITIONING AT BELOW 26 DEGREES CELSIUS- AND A GENERAL EXHORTATION TO ALL TO SAVE ELECTRICITY, HE SAID,

MR. JEAFFRESON ADDED THAT SUCH MEASURES WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THOSE ALREADY ADOPTED BY SINGAPORE AND JAPAN, AND GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THOSE INTRODUCED WILL BE LIFTED AS SOON AS THE SUPPLY SITUATION BEGINS TO IMPROVE.

EARLIER, MR. JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT IT NOW LOOKS FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO AIM TO REDUCE ITS CONSUMPTION OF FUEL OIL BY AT LEAST FIVE PER CENT, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE FIGURE THE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY HAS ADOPTED AS THE SAVING FOR ALL PRODUCTS.

+BUT THIS MUST BE DONE AS PAINLESSLY AS POSSIBLE, HE STRESSED. +AND, TO PROTECT OUR EXPORTS AND OUR EMPLOYMENT, OUR PRIMARY OBJECT MUST BE THAT INDUSTRY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CURTAIL PRODUCTION THROUGH LACK OF ELECTRICITY OR OF FUEL OIL.

+ANY SHORTFALL IN SUPPLY THAT WILL STILL REMAIN EVEN IF SUCH SAVINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED, WILL BE MET BY DRAWING DOWN, BUT NOT ELIMINATING, RESERVES IN HONG KONG, +

MR. JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT NOT ALL PRODUCTS ARE EQUALLY AFFECTED AS FAR AS HONG KONG IS CONCERNED.

+ALTHOUGH WE ARE UNLIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN RESPECT OF MOST PRODUCTS, WE SHALL BE AFFECTED IN RESPECT OF FUEL OIL WHICH IS USED BOTH FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY AND DIRECTLY BY INDUSTRY, HE ADDED.

REPLACEMENT AIRPORT

MR. JEAFFRESON POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ADOPTED A +STAGE BY STAGE APPROACH+ TO THE STUDY OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT.

HE EXPLAINED: THIS MEANS THAT BEFORE WE EMBARK ON A NEW STAGE OF THE PLANNING OR THE PREPARATORY PROCESS, WE SHALL SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON WHETHER, IN THE LIGHT OF UP-DATED AIR TRAFFIC FORECASTS, WE SHOULD PROCEED TO THE NEXT STAGE, OR WAIT FOR A WHILE, OR ABANDON THE IDEA OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.

+IN THIS DISCIPLINED WAY, WE SHOULD NOT DRIFT EITHER INTO HAVING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT OR INTO NOT HAVING ONE, BUT COME TO CONCLUSIONS ON THE BEST POSSIBLE DATA AND ARGUMENTS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME.+

HE POINTED