XN000022-1995-09-19 — Page 4

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"We need early action to contain pollution from diesel emissions because of its adverse impact on our health and the environment.

"Diesel vehicles emit high levels of Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSP), which may cause various respiratory illnesses and cancer.

"RSP concentrations in many of the busy urban areas consistently exceed the acceptable level. Because of our large population and growing economic activities, the problem will worsen if we do not act quickly to contain it.

"In working out our proposals, we took great care to minimise disruption to public transport users and operators.

"The proposed fiscal measures in favour of petrol taxi and public light bus operators will keep passenger fare increases resulting from the switch mild and gradual, within 1-2 per cent a year.

"It is now time to act towards cleaner air for ourselves and our future generations," Mr Leung said.

A leaflet and a consultative document on the diesel to petrol scheme will be available for collection at petrol filling stations and District Offices later this week.

Views on the proposals should be sent to Planning, Environment and Lands Branch (Environment Division), Room 2006 Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong before the end of consultation on December 31, 1995.

End/Tuesday, September 19, 1995

BEC to review counting system

The Chairman of the Boundary and Election Commission, Mr Justice Woo Kwok-hing, today (Tuesday) said the Commission would review the counting system to identify areas for improvement to prevent human errors in the counting of votes.

"Human errors may sometimes be made in any process, but it is imperative that

we try to avoid such mistakes," he said.

Mr Justice Woo made these remarks after meeting Mr Tam Yiu-chung, a candidate of the Legislative Council elections, on the discrepancy in the vote records for the Kowloon South-east constituency.