XN000022-1991-01-09 — Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991

BILL TO TACKLE CAR EMISSIONS

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THE

AIR

POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS A MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES WERE ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG, AFFECTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECOGNISED THIS FACT AND, IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION, SPELT OUT A FOUR-PART STRATEGY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, WHICH INVOLVED:

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ENSURING THAT UNLEADED PETROL IS SUPPLIED AND USED WIDELY;

INTRODUCING NEW LEGISLATION WHICH WILL ENABLE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL TO BE EXERCISED OVER SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM VEHICLES USE:

IN

INTRODUCING NEW REGULATIONS WHICH WILL REQUIRE ALL VEHICLES IMPORTED, BOTH DIESEL AND PETROL ENGINED, TO COMPLY WITH THE MOST STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS; AND

EXAMINING AND, IF FEASIBLE, IMPLEMENTING MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING RELIANCE ON DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES.

MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE BILL INTRODUCED TODAY CONCERNED THE FIRST TWO PARTS OF THE STRATEGY WITH REGARD TO THE SUPPLY AND USAGE OF UNLEADED PETROL AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTROL OVER SMOKE EMISSIONS.

HE SAID THE DRAFTING OF NEW REGULATIONS TO SPECIFY DESIGN STANDARDS FOR NEW VEHICLES WAS IN HAND AND WOULD SHORTLY BE SUBMITTED WHICH TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WHILE THE LAST PART OF THE STRATEGY WAS AIMED AT REDUCING RELIANCE ON DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES WAS ALSO BEING PURSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

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MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BILL UNLEADED PETROL WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE ADOPTION OF STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW VEHICLES.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE POWERS IN THE LAW TO SPECIFY THE QUALITY AND COMPOSITION OF FUELS, THERE ARE NO POWERS ΤΟ REQUIRE THEIR

AVAILABILITY.

HAVE DATE,

"IT IS PROPOSED THAT ALL PETROL RETAILERS BE UNLEADED PETROL AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON AND AFTER

HE SAID.

REQUIRED ΤΟ

A SPECIFIED

/HE TOLD