XN000022-1995-02-22 — Page 51

-

38 -

(c)

(d)

No part of Stage I of the SSD'S will be incompatible with possible Stage II options. As I have already said, the International Panel of Experts have made some suggestions as regards the treatment of sewage flows on Stonecutters Island and these are being examined as a matter of priority. They will not affect or delay the High Priority Programme. A commercial proposal to incorporate secondary treatment on the Stonecutters site was examined by the Review consultants but was found not to be feasible for reasons of operational complexity and cost.

We assured the Finance Committee in February 1994 that Stage I of the SSDS formed the fundamental building block for any higher level of treatment that might be required. This was correct then and is correct now. Current Stage I works will be fully compatible with the possible options for Stage II. Indeed, the preference of the International Panel of Experts for connecting Hong Kong Island flows to the Stage I treatment works at Stonecutters only reinforces the need to get on with the High Priority Programme urgently.

End/Wednesday, February 22, 1995

Community participation necessary to tackle drugs problem

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Tang Siu-tong and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As it is reported that drug traffickers are very active at Kam Tin in the Yuen Long district, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a)

drug traffickers in the district have become active as a result of insufficient police manpower;

(b)

there is any plan to prevent drug trafficking in the district;

(c)

any other drug trafficking black spots are known to exist in the district; and

+