XN000022-1994-12-14 — Page 33

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What are the results of the charging arrangements we now propose? In short, they will mean that 17% of households will be exempt from sewage charges, that 50% of households will pay less than $8 a month, that 85% of households will pay less than $18 a month. This is, Mr President, a very modest charging scheme by any measure. It is, we believe, acceptable to a large majority of the community, an acceptance reflected in a recent public opinion survey. This survey found that a majority of the 500 respondents supported the Polluter Pays Principle and expressed a willingness to pay sewage charges of up to $30 a month. This is substantially more than we now propose

for 85% of households. I therefore believe, and I invite this Council to accept, that the time has come for the community to meet its responsibility under the Polluter Pays Principle, and the sewage charges now proposed, particularly as these charges are fair, modest and affordable. It cannot, I suggest, be reasonable to claim otherwise.

In concluding my remarks on the deliberations of the Bills Committee, I would like to report, Mr President, that a number of issues not directly related to the provisions of the Bill were also considered by the Committee. These included a recommendation that we embark on a publicity programme on the charging scheme, and that we consider long term measures to encourage conservation of water. These matters will be taken up further with the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs.

With these remarks, Mr President, I commend the Sewage Services Bill to Members. Thank you.

End/Wednesday, December 14, 1994

Amendment to Sewage Services Bill

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Tony Eason, on amendments to the Sewage Services Bill in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr Chairman,

Notwithstanding the public support for the Polluter Pays Principle, the Hon. Rev. Fung Chi-wood proposes to exempt from sewage charges the average water consumption by households. By definition, therefore, 50% of households, or some 800,000 domestic users would not pay for the sewage services they use. What does this actually mean and what are the consequences?