TNAG-1855-FCO40-2630-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 140

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-8 March 1989

香港立法局 一九八九年三月八日

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attempt to introduce stricter measures in this regard would be considered as an infringement upon people's personal liberties, and be virtually impossible to enforce as it would require beach-goers to change their habit considerably. The problem of littering would more appropriately be tackled by enforcement of anti- littering by-laws rather than confinement of eating and drinking. Nevertheless, I shall pass on Dr. Henrietta IP's suggestion to the Urban Council for their consideration.

DR. IP: Sir, is restriction of eating and drinking around the vicinity of public swimming pools, which now occurs, an infringement upon people's personal liberties?

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, I think swimming pools and beaches are separate cases. The by-laws are in relation to the swimming beaches.

MRS. TU: Sir, in the second paragraph of his reply, the Secretary says that littering is a relatively insignificant contributor towards the pollution of waters off the beaches. Would he please inform us what are the significant causes and could he ensure that the Urban Council is reimbursed a significant amount of the $45 million it has to spend on remedying the damage caused to Repulse Bay beach alone?

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: Sir, as I said, I shall pass on these suggestions to the Urban Council, and I trust that Mrs. TU is more familiar with Urban Council matters.

DR. IP: Sir, in his answer the Secretary suggested that the problem of littering would be more appropriately dealt with by the enforcement of anti-littering by- laws. Could I ask Government how successful they have been in the enforcement of such at the beaches?

Sir, anti-littering

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION: campaign is an on-going matter and this also really involves civic education. But, as I said, the survey should indicate that the beach goers are now more responsible and they are conscious of the need to keep the beaches clean. That obviously is a sign of success of the campaign.