XN000022-1995-01-25 — Page 48

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(b)

(c)

(d)

As most public buses are larger than four tonnes in gross vehicle weight, and are powered by diesel engines because there is currently no viable petrol alternative for them, the Government has no plans at present to require such vehicles to use unleaded petrol. However, like all other diesel vehicles, starting from 1 April 1995 diesel- powered public buses will be required to use cleaner diesel (with sulphur content below 0.2%) and all newly registered large diesel vehicles, including new public buses, will be required to comply with stringent emission standards similar to those currently adopted in Europe.

The Government has no plans to require bus companies to purchase buses using unleaded petrol. because no such buses are available on the market.

For the reasons stated above, it is not possible to provide substantive data for cost comparison.

The feasibility of requiring diesel engined vehicles under four tonnes to switch to unleaded petrol is still being examined by the Government.

End/Wednesday, January 25, 1995

Eligibility criteria for a Kwai Shing East Estate block

Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic S W Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The Housing Authority has recently decided to reserve Block 12 of Kwai Shing East Estate for rehousing squatter clearees who are eligible for rehousing in Temporary Housing Areas. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a)

the eligibility criteria for rehousing in this block are identical to those for allocation of public rental flats;