XN000022-1995-03-08 — Page 65

Reply:

- 53

53 -

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

All vehicles running on the road, including private cars, are required under the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations to meet a smoke emission standard of 60 Hartridge Smoke Unit (HSU).

For new cars, emission standards are set out in the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations. These standards are as stringent as those adopted in Europe, USA and Japan and all private cars have been required to meet these standards before acceptance for first registration in Hong Kong since 1992. More stringent emission standards for new vehicles are proposed from April 1995.

Private cars over six years old are required to meet a smoke emission standard of 60 HSU at their annual inspection before they can have their licences renewed by the Transport Department.

End/Wednesday, March 8, 1995

Falling of masonry and tiles

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Tony Eason, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As the falling of masonry and tiles off the external walls of some private and government buildings threatens the safety of pedestrians, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

how many pedestrians were killed or injured in the past three years as a result of masonry and tiles falling off the external walls of buildings;