XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 88

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(b)

(c)

(d)

The level of maximum penalties is determined on the basis of a number of factors including the degree of hazard to public health and safety, damage caused to the environment, and likely deterrent effect to offenders. Provision has also been made for a substantial increase in the level of fines for repeated offences and for daily penalties to be imposed for continuing offences.

Yes. The Legal Department will, on the advice of the Environmental Protection Department, consider lodging an appeal if the fine imposed by the court is wrong in principle or manifestly inadequate. No appeal has been lodged against cases of low fines in the past three years.

Yes. The levels of penalties are continually reviewed to ensure that they have sufficient deterrent effect. Except for the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinace, for which the level of fine is already high, the level of fines under pollution control legislation has been increased in the past three years. The fines under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance were increased 10-fold in 1993 and those under the Noise Control Ordinance, Waste Disposal Ordinance and Water Pollution Control Ordinance were doubled during recent amendment exercises. The Dumping At Sea Ordinance has a maximum penalty for second offences of marine dumping that is 100 times greater than the Dumping At Sea Act 1974 (Overseas Territories) Order 1975 which it replaced in 1995.

End

Breakdowns on allocation of research grants

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Is the Government aware of the following information relating to the grant for academic research received by each of the local universities directly from the Government in each of the past three years:

(a) the respective percentages of funds allocated for researches on

theoretical topics, practical subjects and local policy issues;