Page 124 of 194
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
215
214
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
New Territories, the consequences could be imagined. A better alternative would be to expand the present Urban Council, to strengthen and promote its activities in the New Territories and to enter into closer co-operation and have better co-ordination with the N.T. districts. This will not only be more economical, but also more effective.
Environmental Pollution
Recently, we have often heard of sea water pollution and the occurrences of red tide. First of all, it is heartening that the public has finally begun to realize the importance of environmental hygiene and to reflect their concern to government through proper channels. At present, sewage treatment plants either exist or are under planning in the new towns in the New Territories and Kowloon West. Government has also started to connect some of the open nullahs in Kowloon East to these sewage plants and to clean up the polluted water in the water channels by stages. The cost is anticipated to exceed $100 million. Several tens of million dollars more will also be spent to clean up the water channels of Tuen Mun, of which work will be started shortly. The aim is to eliminate the odour given out by the open nullahs in dry seasons and to reduce nuisance to the residents in the neighbourhood. The collecting of flotsam in the Victoria Harbour is the responsibility of the Water Pollution Control Unit, Marine Department. Besides collecting the polythene bags and refuse from the reclamation areas floating on the sea, government has to stop the source of such littering. In this regard, new regulations under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance will be enacted and enforced in the near future.
The Secretary for Health and Welfare has undertaken to form special working groups to clean up the beaches before the swimming season comes and to ensure that beach-goers can enjoy clean beaches. The Environmental Protection Agency has also planned to form an action squad to implement systematic safety measures in co-operation with other departments in the event of outbreaks of red tide. With the prosperity Hong Kong enjoys in the last 30 years, the population growth and the quantity of commodities consumed, there must be a long-term and far-sighted plan to tackle the problem of pollution. It warrants special attention in the future urban redevelopment. However, there is no private participation nor government which could afford the enormous cost to clean up all kinds of pollution overnight.
Putonghua Courses
It is encouraging that Cantonese is being widely used to bridge the gap between government and the public. From this, I come to think of the learning of Putonghua. It should be made a compulsory subject for our primary and secondary students, so that in future, the general public can speak the language. In the foreseeable future, Putonghua will play an increasingly important role in commerce. This point we should not overlook.
Conclusion
In recent years, Hong Kong has suffered temporary economic setbacks which are caused by a combination of factors. Yet, I am very optimistic about the future of Hong Kong. The Urban Council is to provide services for the citizens of Hong Kong, thus more efforts should be made to press ahead with the construction projects and improvement schemes in the long-term interests of the public, in line with Hong Kong's future development and to strive for the continued prosperity and stability of our city.
With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.
(Mr. Kenneth Lo and Mr. Edmund Chow left at this point—5.00 p.m.)
ADJOURNMENT—5.08 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): We adjourn our debate in two days' time on Thursday. Other Members who have not spoken will be speaking. So, I now declare the meeting adjourn. Meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 January at 2.30 p.m.
Page 124 of 194
Page 124 of 194
Page 124 of 194
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
215
214
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
New Territories, the consequences could be imagined. A better alternative would be to expand the present Urban Council, to strengthen and promote its activities in the New Territories and to enter into closer co-operation and have better co-ordination with the N.T. districts. This will not only be more
economical, but also more effective.
Environmental Pollution
Recently, we have often heard of sea water pollution and the occurrences of red tide. First of all, it is heartening that the public has finally begun to realize the importance of environmental hygiene and to reflect their concern to government through proper channels. At present, sewage treatment plants either exist or are under planning in the new towns in the New Territories and Kowloon West. Government has also started to connect some of the open nullahs in Kowloon East to these sewage plants and to clean up the polluted water in the water channels by stages. The cost is anticipated to exceed $100 million. Several tens of million dollars more will also be spent to clean up the water channels of Tuen Mun, of which work will be started shortly. The aim is to eliminate the odour given out by the open nullahs in dry seasons and to reduce nuisance to the residents in the neighbourhood. The collecting of flotsam in the Victoria Harbour is the responsibility of the Water Pollution Control Unit, Marine Department. Besides collecting the polythene bags and refuse from the reclamation areas floating on the sea, government has to stop the source of such littering. In this regard, new regulations under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance will be enacted and enforced in the near future.
The Secretary for Health and Welfare has undertaken to form special working groups to clean up the beaches before the swimming season comes and to ensure that beach-goers can enjoy clean beaches. The Environmental Protection Agency has also planned to form an action squad to implement systematic safety measures in co-operation with other departments in the event of outbreaks of red tide. With the prosperity Hong Kong enjoys in the last 30 years, the population growth and the quantity of commodities consumed, there must be a long-term and far-sighted plan to tackle the problem of pollution. It warrants special attention in the future urban redevelopment. However, there is no private participation nor government which could afford the enormous cost to clean up all kinds of pollution overnight.
Putonghua Courses
It is encouraging that Cantonese is being widely used to bridge the gap between government and the public. From this, I come to think of the learning of Putonghua. It should be made a compulsary subject for our primary and secondary students, so that in future, the general public can speak the language. In the foreseeable future, Putonghua will play an increasingly important role in commerce. This point we should not overlook.
Conclusion
In recent years, Hong Kong has suffered temporary economic setbacks which are caused by a combination of factors. Yet, I am very optimistic about the future of Hong Kong. The Urban Council is to provide services for the citizens of Hong Kong, thus more efforts should be made to press ahead with the construction projects and improvement schemes in the long-term interests of the public, in line with Hong Kong's future development and to strive for the continued prosperity and stability of our city.
With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.
(Mr. Kenneth Lo and Mr. Edmund CHow left at this point—5.00 p.m.)
ADJOURNMENT—5.08 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-We adjourn our debate in two days' time on Thursday. Other Members who have not spoken will be speaking. So, I now declare the meeting adjourn. Meeting will be held on Thursday, 12 January at 2.30 p.m.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.