XN000022-1996-05-29 — Page 51

End

(d)

-

34

The Drainage Services Department deploys approximately 110 professional and technical staff members to deal with the maintenance of major watercourses.

The Territory Development Department's New Territories (North) and New Territories (West) project management offices have a total of 39 professional and 17 technical staff members responsible for, amongst others, their projects listed in (b) above.

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department has 14 full-time and 5 part- time staff working on managing agricultural weirs.

With regard to long-term measures to improve the water quality of water courses, the Environmental Protection Department will continue to enforce the relevant environmental legislation. When the revised livestock waste control scheme is fully implemented, pollution from livestock waste is expected to be reduced by 98%. The Sewerage Master Plans providing new sewerage for unsewered areas will be progressively implemented for completion by 2005. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Department will continue to take action to ensure that currently unsewered properties are connected to the new sewers. The Drainage Services Department and the Territory Development Department will also continue to carry out regular desilting and maintenance of the river and drainage channels to minimise sediment and debris accumulation.

Allied Group investigation

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Financial Services, Mrs Lessie Wei, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the investigation of the Allied Group, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

of the amount of money spent on the inspector appointed to carry out an inspection on the affairs of the Allied Group and the results of the inspection;