XN000022-1985-07-10 — Page 29

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1985

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NO INTENTION TO REPLACE EXISTING CONTROLS

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IT WAS NOT THE INTENTION TO REPLACE EXISTING CONTROLS ON MARINE OIL POLLUTION UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE BY THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TODAY.

SAID

THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WILL REMAIN THE CONTROL AUTHORITY UNDER THE FORMER ORDINANCE, UNDER WHICH ALL DISCHARGES CONTAINING OIL ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROL REGARDLESS OF THEIR CONCENTRATION AND SOURCE.

HOWEVER, THE CONTROLS UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE WERE ONLY EFFECTIVE IN PRACTICAL TERMS IN RELATION TO THE PROTECTION OF THE SEA FROM DISCHARGES FROM SHIPS, OIL TERMINALS, OIL STORAGE TANKS, MARINE OIL TRANSFER OPÉRATIONS OIL SPILLS AND SO ON, HE SAID, MOVING THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985.

+THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AIMS TO SEAL A LOOPHOLE WHICH MAKES THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE INCAPABLE OF CONTROLLING INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES CONTAINING SMALL CONCENTRATIONS OF OIL THROUGH THE EXEMPTION AND LICENSING SYSTEM, HE SAID.

REFERRING TO DR FANG'S COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, HE REITERATED THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WERE CONDUCTED WITH INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL FIRMS WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE REGULATIONS.

+HOWEVER IN VIEW OF THE AD HOC GROUP'S COMMENTS I PROPOSE TO ARRANGE FOR FURTHER PUBLICITY TO BE GIVEN TO THE PROPOSALS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO DOUBT IN THE MINDS OF THOSE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED ABOUT WHAT IS INTENDED BOTH IN THE TOLO AREA AND ELSEWHERE, + HE ADDED.

HE ALSO ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO WEIGH VERY CAREFULLY THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES AND ACCEPTED THAT A BALANCED APPROACH WAS NECESSARY.

+ BELIEVE THAT THE DRAFT REGULATIONS MEET THIS REQUIREMENT,+ HE SAID.

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