TNAG-1507-FCO40-2065-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 118

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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15 October 1986

105

participation of the Hong Kong Nuclear Investment Company. I might remind Members, Sir, that at the moment the Hong Kong Government has on the board of Hong Kong NIC to directors, we are therefore constantly in touch with the company and do have a continuing influence in relation to the project. No issue than Daya Bay, other than the agreement on the future of Hong Kong, has been discussed so exhaustively in public. A mass of infomation has indeed been given and obtained and I am grateful to Miss DUNN and Mr. SOHMEN for their acknowledgement in this regard. In addition to debate, questions and statements in this Council, senior government and company officials have been involved in numerous press conferences, and briefings for Members of this Council. The UMELCO Public Utilities Panel has also gone to great lengths to keep the media and public informed of development and their own discussions with key officials. The issue has been frequently aired at seminars and other public forums, all of which have been given saturation coverage by the media, which itself has been far from reticent in putting forward its own views. I nevertheless take the point made by Dr. Ho Kam-fai that much of the information has been released in a peacemeal manner. This, of course, has in part been due to the fact that negotiations in respect of the project of have extended over a very long time period. I nevertheless hoped that the paper I have promised to issue will redress this situation by providing a comprehensive overview of the project. This is a most satisfactory and tangible result of this motion.

Miss DUNN has rightly stressed the concern of the community and the fact that the concern has been conveyed to the British and Chinese Governments.

The Hong Kong Government has at all times been fully aware of this deep and genuine concern expressed in Hong Kong. It has done everything within its powers to convey this concern to the British Government and, through it, to the Chinese Government. One result has been the significant assurances on safety given by the Chinese authorities to the Legislative Council delegation during their recent visit. Furthermore, consideration is being given to involving Hong Kong people in the monitoring of the construction and operation of the Daya Bay station. And Miss Maria TAM, Mr. Allen LEE in their speeches have already given some details of these assurances.

What are the Hong Kong Government's specific responsibilities? They are the same as those of any metropolitan authority where a nuclear power station is built near its border but not in its own territory; that is, first, to ensure as far as possible that those involved in building and operating the plant maintain the highest possible safety standards and, second, to devise contingency plans in case of an accident. In addition, there is the question of education of the community. The Government is discharging these responsibilities.