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off-shore islands, for example this oil pollution, all the urban beaches could be affected, so I hope Mr. Kenneth Lo could approach the Government departments as we may have an oil factory near one of the near off-shore islands, and what happens if the construction of the depot should be defective? Because of this we have to take into consideration whether we can sanction that, or not. I must repeat that Hong Kong is too small a place and we cannot face this kind of threat.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I share Dr. HUANG'S concern over this recent incident and also over the proposal to build the oil refinery. I entirely concur that Hong Kong is a small place, and Dr. HUANG would have read the paper that there had been announced that there will be enquiry into the cause of this recent spillage. I think, perhaps that we shall wait for the result of that.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English): Mr. Chairman, two aspects really. May I have it confirmed that in fact the Urban Council was never consulted at any rate as to the safety measures which are required for preventing oil pollution when these storage tanks were initially built? And the second one is really related to the emulsifiers that they use. Will the Chairman kindly confirm that emulsifiers at least will not be harmful in any way? I do not know whether the Department can confirm this.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-As to the first question put by Mr. Lo Tak-shing, perhaps Mr. Lo could refresh my memory
(Laughter).
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-The first question I asked, perhaps I will take it separately, Mr. Chairman. The first question I asked was really was the Urban Council in any way consulted in view of our interest in protecting public swimming spots? Were we ever consulted on the protective measures against oil pollution when the storage tanks were first built?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):--As far as I am aware, we were not consulted, Mr. Chairman.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-The second question relates to the emulsifiers, Mr. Chairman, and whether or not the emulsifier itself is in any way dangerous to health either through contact with the fish or through swimming.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I am afraid I have no information concerning that. Perhaps the department (the health division), could look into this and supply Mr. T. S. Lo with necessary information.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):---Could I ask, Sir, if the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, and perhaps this Council, will take steps to press for full information, and that consultation shall take place between Government and this Council on future protective measures as they affect our position in guarding against, taking precautions against, future pollution.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Yes, Mr. Chairman, we certainly will do that.
REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKERS SELECT COMMITTEE ON A CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. HENRY H. L. Hu (in English):-Mr. Chairman, In accordance with the proviso to the resolution adopted by this Council on 10th April, 1973, I wish to report that the Deputy Director of Home Affairs has been accepted as a Member of the Hawkers Select Committee.
I cannot emphasize too strongly the importance in this field of having the services of an authoritative member of the Home Affairs Department which is so keenly tuned to public opinion, and I warmly welcome the advent of this new member.
STATEMENTS
(1) MR. HENRY H. L. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKERS SELECT COMMITTEE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the motion by Mrs. ELLIOTT at the June meeting "that all hawker bazaars with a life expectancy of one year or more be paved, well drained, and provided with facilities such as standpipes, electricity and protective shades" was referred forthwith to the Hawkers Select Committee for consideration.
At a meeting of the Hawkers Select Committee held on 20th June, 1973 it was agreed that work costing in the region of $330,000 to provide water supply, surfacing, drainage, and electricity should be put in hand as soon as possible.
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off-shore islands, for example this oil pollution, all the urban beaches could be affected, so I hope Mr. Kenneth Lo could approach the Government departments as we may have an oil factory near one of the near off-shore islands, and what happens if the construction of the depot should be defective? Because of this we have to take into consideration whether we can sanction that, or not. I must re- peat that Hong Kong is too small a place and we cannot face this kind of threat.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I share Dr. HUANG'S concern over this recent incident and also over the proposal to build the oil refinery. I entirely concur that Hong Kong is a small place, and Dr. HUANG would have read the paper that there had been announced that there will be enquiry into the cause of this recent spillage. I think, perhaps that we shall wait for the result of that.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English): Mr. Chairman, two aspects really. May I have it confirmed that in fact the Urban Council was never consulted at any rate as to the safety measures which are required for preventing oil pollution when these storage tanks were initially built? And the second one is really related to the emulsifiers that they use. Will the Chairman kindly confirm that emulsifiers at least will not be harmful in any way? I do not know whether the Depart- ment can confirm this.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-As to the first question put by Mr. Lo Tak-shing, perhaps Mr. Lo could refresh my memory
(Laughter).
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-The first question I asked, perhaps I will take it separately, Mr. Chairman. The first question I asked was really was the Urban Council in any way consulted in view of our interest in protecting public swimming spots? Were we ever consulted on the protective measures against oil pollution when the storage tanks were first built?
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):--As far as I am aware, we were not consulted, Mr. Chairman.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-The second question relates to the emulsifiers, Mr. Chairman, and whether or not the emulsifier itself is in any way dangerous to health either through contract with the fish or through swimming.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I am afraid I have no information concerning that. Perhaps the department (the
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
191
health division), could look into this and supply Mr. T. S. Lo with necessary information.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):---Could I ask, Sir, if the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, and perhaps this Council, will take steps to press for full information, and that consultation shall take place between Government and this Council on future protec- tive measures as they affect our position in guarding against, taking precautions against, future pollution.
MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo (in English):-Yes, Mr. Chairman, we certainly will do that.
REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKERS SELECT COMMITTEE ON A CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. HENNY H. L. Hu (in English):-Mr. Chairman, In accord- ance with the proviso to the resolution adopted by this Council on 10th April, 1973, I wish to report that the Deputy Director of Home Affair has been accepted as a Member of the Hawkers Select Com- mittee.
I cannot emphasize too strongly the importance in this field of having the services of an authoritative member of the Home Affairs Department which is so keenly tuned to public opinion, and I warmly welcome the advent of this new member.
STATEMENTS
(1) MR. HENRY H. L. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKERS SELECT COMMITTEE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the motion by Mrs. ELLIOTT at the June meeting "that all hawker bazaars with a life expect- ancy of one year or more be paved, well drained, and provided with facilities such as standpipes, electricity and protective shades" was referred forthwith to the Hawkers Select Committee for consideration.
At a meeting of the Hawkers Select Committee held on 20th June, 1973 it was agreed that work costing in the region of $330,000 to provide water supply, surfacing, drainage, and electricity should be put in hand as soon as possible.
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