the numbers of staff cannot be readily assessed, though first estimates are that at least 950 staff will be needed over the ten year period, if all initiatives were implemented.
Economic Implications
15
The proposed general tightening of pollution control by administrative and legal measures would affect new and existing polluters alike. Treatment facilities or less polluting processes would have to be installed to meet the more stringent environmental standards for licensing. Less polluting but often more costly raw materials and fuels would also have to be resorted to. To do this would result in increase in capital and recurrent costs
costs to the polluters. The likely implications of the intended measures for the manufacturing and the construction sectors, as well as for the economy as a whole, have not been assessed and will have to be considered when proposals for amending legislation are submitted to the Council.
Public Consult at ion
16
The Environment al
Pollution Advisory Committee has been consulted and supports the initiatives described in the White Paper. The Omelco panel on Environmental Affairs has also been briefed on the broad out line of the White Paper. Though the Industry Development Board and trade and industry associations have not yet been consulted, the Administration will make it clear, when the
the White Paper is issued, that whilst t he White Paper is a firm st at ement of Government's aims, it will be consulting those affected by new proposals during the normal consultative process, in particular the major trade and industry associations. Proposals for amending legislation arising from this consultation will be submitted to the Council for decision.
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Public Reaction
17
Until very recent ly the Hong Kong Government has been accused of being insincere in solving Hong Kong's pollution problems and there is a conception that Government is not willing to take measures which would result in higher costs to industry.
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18
The public is therefore expected to generally welcome the White Paper as a tangible expression of the Government's determination to substantially improve the environment over а ten-year period. However, industrialists can be expected oppose certain proposed amending legislation such as the water pollution control measures at paragraph 10c and the air quality control measures at paragraph 1lb.
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