XN000022-1994-10-26 — Page 39

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994

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ON ENVIRONMENT, MR EASON SAID THE COVERAGE ACCORDED BY MEMBERS DURING THE DEBATE WAS A REFLECTION OF GROWING UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS IN THE COMMUNITY PARTLY DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT'S INCREASED EFFORT AND RESOURCE ON ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION.

HR SAID THE

THIRD REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT WOULD BE PRODUCED NEXT YEAR.

"WE

WILL HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS AND BE WELL AHEAD OF MOST OF THE WORLD, IF OUR DEVELOPED THINKING CAN BE SET OUT IN THE REVIEW.

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RESPONDING TO SOME MEMBERS' CALL FOR MORE PREVENTIVE POLICY MAKING AND THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY, MR EASON SAID THE ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT BILL, ONE OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PIECE OF PREVENTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION SO FAR CONCEIVED, WOULD BE INTRODUCED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

REFERRING TO THE POLLUTORS PAY PRINCIPLE, MR EASON NOTED THAT A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR SEWAGE CHARGES WAS BEING EXAMINED BY THE BILLS COMMITTEE. HE URGED MEMBERS TO GRASP THE NETTLE AS WELL AS THE PRINCIPLE.

"TIME AND AGAIN WE ARE SEEING SELECTIVITY - SOMETHING TO DO WITH INTEREST GROUPS AND VOTERS PERHAPS - COLOUR THE OTHERWISE SUPPORTIVE VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS, HE SAID.

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THREAT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION

HONG KONG IS FACED WITH A REAL THREAT IN THE SHAPE OF CONGESTION WHICH, IF UNCHECKED, COULD PARALYSE ITS WHOLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE

SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL POLICY ADDRESS DEBATE, SAID: "WE NEED TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM TOGETHER, BOLDLY AND

COURAGEOUSLY.

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MR BARMA SAID THE WORKING GROUP CONVENED BY HIM HAD DELIBERATED THE THREE MAIN OPTIONS FISCAL MEASURES, QUOTAS AND ROAD PRICING POSSIBLE WAYS TO CURB CAR GROWTH.

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HE SAID HIS APPROACH WAS TO CONSULT WIDELY AND HE EXPECTED A LIVELY EXCHANGE OF VIEWS.

MR BARMA SAID THE RECENT RISE IN PRIVATE CAR OWNERSHIP HAD BEEN PHENOMENAL AS A RESULT OF THE TERRITORY'S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INCREASE IN PERSONAL WEALTH,

"THERE HAS BEEN A ONE-THIRD INCREASE IN NUMBERS OF PRIVATE VEHICLES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, CONTINUED GROWTH AT THE RATE OF 10 PER CENT PER ANNUM, OR 68 ADDITIONAL CARS ON THE ROADS EACH DAY.

/NO ROAD-BUILDING