XN000022-1992-06-24 — Page 12

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1992

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IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A CLOSE WATCH ON THE TOXICITY STATUS OF VARIOUS PESTICIDES.

AND

"SHOULD A REGISTERED PESTICIDE BE FOUND OR REPORTED TO BE DANGEROUS, OR CAUSING HEALTH HAZARDS, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE FISHERIES CAN ORDER THE CANCELLATION OF THE REGISTRATION OF THE PESTICIDE IN QUESTION.

"SINCE 1983,

15 PESTICIDES HAVE BEEN DEREGISTERED ON HEALTH HAZARD OR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUNDS,

SHE SAID.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ALSO PROVIDES FARMERS WHO ARE THE MAJOR USERS OF PESTICIDES WITH LEAFLETS.

IT ALSO HOLDS PERIODIC TECHNICAL SEMINARS AND DISCUSSION MEETINGS WITH THEM ON THE SAFE USE OF PESTICIDES AND EFFECTIVE PEST CONTROL.

REMIND

FURTHERMORE, FIELD STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT COUNSEL AND FARMERS ON THE SAFE AND PROPER USE OF PESTICIDES IN THEIR REGULAR CONTACTS WITH THEM.

—

MONITORING OF BUS COMPANIES BEING STRENGTHENED

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT IS STRENGTHENING THE SYSTEM ΤΟ MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF BUS COMPANIES INCLUDING THEIR PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND IS MAKING THE SUPPLY OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES MORE COMPETITIVE.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LEUNG, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR LEUNG SAID THE APPRAISAL AVAILABILITY, PUNCTUALITY, MAINTENANCE, DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS GENERAL MANAGEMENT.

TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL ZACHERY WONG, IN THE

SYSTEM COVERED SERVICE SAFETY, PLANNING AND

HE SAID THE RESULTS OF THE APPRAISAL WOULD BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND SCRUTINY. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENCOURAGE THE BUS COMPANIES TO BECOME MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

IN THE

"WE ALSO INTEND TO STRENGTHEN THE PENALTY PROVISIONS PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE TO PREVENT THE COST OF PENALTIES FROM BEING PASSED ON TO PASSENGERS, HE SAID.

THE

THIS WILL LEAD TO CLOSER MONITORING AND GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN OPERATION OF BUS COMPANIES TO DETER AVOIDABLE COST ESCALATION.

WIDER EXPOSURE ΤΟ MARKET FORCES WILL ALSO MAKE THE BUS COMPANIES MORE CUSTOMER-ORIENTED AND RESULT IN BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY

FOR PASSENGERS.

/IN CONSIDERING

: