XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 86

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As regards the development of recreational facilities on outlying islands and in other rural areas, we are currently looking at ways of maximising the recreational use of decommissioned landfill and former military land. The Country and Marine Park Board is planning marine parks at Hoi Ha Wan, near Sai Kung and at Yan Chau Tong, in Tai Po District to complement the 40,864 hectares of gazetted Country Park in Hong Kong some 20% of which is on outlying islands. The Urban and Regional Services Departments are considering providing new recreational facilities at Stanley and Gordon Hard respectively.

In taking forward these developments we will consider the demand and potential for opening up outing resorts, as well as assessing the availability of public transport links.

End

Penalties on environmental offences

Following is a question by Dr the Hon John Tse Wing-ling and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is reported that the fines imposed by the court on individuals or companies for repeated violation of environmental protection legislation may be lower than the cost of installing environmental protection facilities, and that such fines are regarded by some businessmen as part of the operating cost. As a result, the imposition of fines has had little deterrent effect. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the number of persons or companies prosecuted on more than two occasions in each of the past three years, together with the average fine imposed by the court in such cases and the number of cases in which the court has imposed a custodial sentence;

of the criteria adopted by the Government for proposing the penalties prescribed in the relevant draft legislation before it was approved by this Council;

whether the Legal Department will consider lodging an appeal in the event that the fine imposed by the court is deemed to be too low; if so, how many appeal cases have been lodged by the Department in the past three years, and what criteria are adopted for determining whether or not to lodge an appeal; and