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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Regarding the second aspect, the government set up an Environmental Protection Unit in 1978 which was later redesignated as the Environmental Protection Agency in 1981, under the auspices of the Environment Branch and then the Health and Welfare Branch of the Government Secretariat. Its role is limited only to advising and monitoring, and it is not responsible for executing policy decisions. The responsibilities for the enforcement of and such regulations if they do exist are fragmented to a number of control units, some of which originally existed in departments but required additional resources, while other units were specially created. This fragmented organization not only delays the implementation of environmental protection policy but also causes confusion to members of the public who may wish to complain about specific instances of pollution. It equally puzzles the industrialists and companies who may actually wish to do the right thing and comply with either the law or recommended standards.
This two-tier structure for the formulation and implementation of environmental policy created in 1978 remained virtually unchanged until April this year when a new Environmental Protection Department came into being with considerably expanded enforcement functions. Further time is needed to evaluate to what extent the new Department will bring a change towards a comprehensive environmental protection policy and co-ordinated implementation procedure.
Environmental Protection—The Way Ahead
With so limited natural resources in Hong Kong, we just have no other choice but to embark on a comprehensive environmental protection programme. In this respect, I strongly support the suggestion made by our colleague Mr. Walter M. SULKE two years ago for the formation of a separate Environment Branch in the Government Secretariat to oversee all environmental protection matters in Hong Kong. This would not only strengthen the policy planning work but would also streamline the cooperation among various departments for regulations enforcement. In order to educate the industrialists, factory owners, farmers, squatters, car owners and Hong Kong citizens about their responsibility in environmental protection and conservation, side by side with the Environmental Protection Committee, an Environmental Protection Education Committee should be formed. The former would concentrate on public consultation and the latter on all public education and publicity such as organizing Environmental Care Groups and campaigns to solicit the support of the public in environmental protection.
Hong Kong does not have inexhaustible resources. The two valuable resources—beautiful environment and human resources—are subject to constant pollution threat. We have no time to wait for another Royal Visit to upgrade another piecemeal environmental improvement project like that of Shing Mun River. We need a 'far-sighted' government which has the courage and determination to protect its citizens and environment from further threat of pollution, a government going even further positively to make the environment a civic pride of everyone in Hong Kong.
The Year of Tiger has nearly come to an end. The government has not played a role as vigorously as a tiger in environmental protection. But we do hope that the government, the industrialists and the community may gather a much belated effort in the coming Year of the Rabbit to keep Hong Kong's environment as clean as a rabbit.
Mr. Chairman, I support your motion.
(Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG arrived at 4:25 p.m.) (Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN left the meeting at 4:30 p.m.)
MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, since I was elected Urban Councillor on 7 March this year, thanks to the concern and guidance by you, Mr. Chairman, and colleagues, and assistance by the USD, I have learnt a great deal about the work of the Council. Here I would like to express my gratitude to you all.
Taking the opportunity of the Annual Debate, I would like to raise for discussion a long-standing problem in Mong Kok. I hope we can work out a solution for it.
Every year as winter sets in, many roadside cooked-food stalls will start to appear during the night in Mong Kok. The Mongkok West Area Committee puts the figure so far this year at more than 80. This is but a conservative estimate and the figure is likely to rise continually. Besides seriously affecting environmental hygiene, the order and appearance of the district, these nocturnal roadside cooked-food stalls also give rise to other problems—
A. Fire hazards—
(1) Large numbers of LP gas cylinders are placed during the day in side-streets, narrow lanes, backstairs and even fire escapes.
(2) LP gas is used in a dangerous way. For example, ovens are placed on broken wooden tables and thus may easily turn over, causing fires and spilling boiling water onto passers-by and customers. The messes of LP gas hoses that are put away randomly and thus easily damaged are also a danger.
B. Obstruction to roads—
(1) As pavements and even the roads are occupied by the stalls, pedestrians are forced to walk on the roads.
(2) Exits and passages to buildings are obstructed.
(3) Fire escapes in back lanes are obstructed.
(4) Legitimate parking spaces are occupied.
C. Obstruction to traffic—
Random parking by customers causes obstruction to traffic.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Regarding the second aspect, the government set up an Environmental Protection Unit in 1978 which was later redesignated as the Environmental Protection Agency in 1981, under the auspices of the Environment Branch and then the Health and Welfare Branch of the Government Secretariat. Its role is limited only to advising and monitoring, and it is not responsible for executing policy decisions. The responsibilities for the enforcement of and such regulations if they do exist are fragmented to a number of control units, some of which originally existed in departments but required additional resources, while other units were specially created. This fragmented organization not only delays the implementation of environmental protection policy but also causes confusion to members of the public who may wish to complain about specific instances of pollution. It equally puzzles the industrialists and companies who may actually wish to do the right thing and comply with either the law or recommended standards.
This two-tier structure for the formulation and implementation of environ- mental policy created in 1978 remained virtually unchanged until April this year when a new Environmental Protection Departmant came into being with considerably expanded enforcement functions. Further time is needed to evaluate, to what extent the new Department will bring a change towards a comprehensive environmental protection policy and co-ordinated implementa- tion procedure.
Environmental Protection—The Way Ahead
With so limited natural resources in Hong Kong, we just have no other choice but to embark on a comprehensive environmental protection programme. In this respect, I strongly support the suggestion made by our colleague Mr. Walter M. SULKE two years ago for the formation of a separate Environment Branch in the Government Secretariat to oversee all environmental protection matters in Hong Kong. This would not only strengthen the policy planning work but would also streamline the cooperation among various departments for regulations enforcement. In order to educate the industrialists, factory owners, farmers, squatters, car owners and Hong Kong citizens about their responsi- bility in environmental protection and conservation, side by side with the Environmental Protection Committee, an Environmental Protection Education Committee should be formed. The former would concentrate on public consultation and the latter on all public education and publicity such as organizing Environmental Care Groups and campaigns to solicit the support of the public in environmental protection.
Hong Kong does not have inexhaustable resources. The two valuable resources beautiful environment and human resources-are subject to constant pollution threat. We have no tome to wait for another Royal Visit to upgrade another piecemeal environmental improvement project like that of Shing Mun River. We need a 'far sighted' government which has the courage and determination to protect its citizens and environment from further threat of
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 157 of 201
273
pollution, a government going even further positively to make the environment a civic pride of everyone in Hong Kong.
The Year of Tiger has nearly come to an end. The government has not played a role as vigorously as a tiger in environmental protection. But we do hope that the government, the industrialists and the community may gather a much belated effort in the coming Year of the Rabbit to keep Hong Kong's environment as clean as a rabbit.
Mr. Chairman, I support your motion.
(Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG arrived at 4.25
p.m.) (Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN left the meeting at 4.30 p.m.)
MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, since I was elected Urban Councillor on 7 March this year, thanks to the concern and guidance by you Mr. Chairman and colleagues, and assistance by the USD, I have learnt a great deal about the work of the Council. Here I would like to express my gratitude to you all.
Taking the opportunity of the Annual Debate, I would like to raise for discussion a long-standing problem in Mong Kok. I hope we can work out a solution for it.
Every year as winter sets in, many roadside cooked-food stalls will start to appear during the night in Mong Kok. The Mongkok West Area Committee puts the figure so far this year at more than 80. This is but a conservative estimate and the figure is likely to rise continually. Besides seriously affecting environmental hygiene, the order and appearance of the district, these nocturnal roadside cooked-food stalls also give rise to other problems--
A. Fire hazards—
(1) Large numbers of LP gas cylinders are placed during the day in side-
streets, narrow lanes, backstairs and even fire escapes.
(2) LP gas is used in a dangerous way. For example, ovens are placed on broken wooden tables and thus may easily turn over, causing fires and spilling boiling water onto passers-by and customers. The messes of LP gas hoses that are put away randomly and thus easily damaged are also a danger.
B.
Obstruction to roads—
(1) As pavements and even the roads are occupied by the stalls, pedestrians
are forced to walk on the roads.
(2) Exits and passages to buildings are obstructed. (3) Fire escapes in back lanes are obstructed. (4) Legitimate parking spaces are occupied.
C. Obstruction to traffic—
Random parking by customers causes obstruction to traffic.
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