XN000022-1987-02-18 — Page 41

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1987

39

MR CHAMBERS SAID AN EXPANSION WAS NEEDED AS A RESULT OF THE REORGANISATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S POLLUTION CONTROL ACTIVITIES IN APRIL LAST YEAR AND TO ENABLE NEW POLLUTION CONTROL INITIATIVES TO GET UNDERWAY.

HE SAID THAT AMONG THE 224 POSTS TO BE CREATED, 91 WERE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL WASTE CONTROL SCHEME 53 FOR MANAGEMENT OF SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE PROJECTS: 33 FOR NEW AIR POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES; 13 FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATIONS IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AND CHANNEL WATER CONTROL ZONE 12 FOR THE CONTROL OF VEHICLE SMOKE EMISSIONS; AND FOUR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS OF GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.

+AS QUITE A LONG LEAD-TIME IS REQUIRED TO RECRUIT PROFFESIONAL AND TECHNICAL OFFICERS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY MADE A START, WITHOUT COMMITMENT, ON THE NECESSARY RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES, MR CHAMBERS SAID.

+EVEN SO, IT WILL BE SOME MONTHS BEFORE THE NEW STAFF CAN TAKE UP THEIR POSTS AND BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL,+ HE ADDED.

METHOD OF ASSESSING PUBLIC OPINION UNDER STUDY

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING HOW PUBLIC OPINION SHOULD BE COLLECTED AND PRESENTED IN RESPONSE TO THE GREEN PAPER ON THE 1987 REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM, MR FORD SAID HE EXPECTED THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE IN ABOUT A MONTH'S TIME.

+1 AM NOT THEREFORE YET IN A POSITION TO REPLY TO DR LAM'S SPECIFIC QUESTION, HE SAID.

/40