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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, on phasing out old diesel commercial vehicles after attending a radio programme this morning (January 21):
Reporter: You are saying we are talking about measures about the reaction to drivers who say they will be pushed out of business. Would you be considering extra assistance to help them? And you are talking about compensation for them. Are you open to suggestions on the compensation issue?
Secretary for the Environment: I think this time we have on one hand increased the allowance for phasing out the old trucks and, at the same time, we are allowing more options. On one hand, if they are going to retire their trucks, that is one option. At the same time, if they are going to have a replacement, there will be an increased allowance. So actually we are increasing different options for the truck drivers to consider. In the past, somehow they would say that the allowance, in terms of benefit, went to the truck suppliers rather than the owners. So this time we would like to work with them to work out the details so that the benefits, in terms of the allowance, would be of maximal benefit to the owners rather than the suppliers. Through all these measures, we could give a balance between environmental consideration and their livelihood. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, January 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:17
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