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In response to an article by Legislative Council Member Dr Helena Wong published in Apple Daily today (August 17), a Government spokesman made the following statement:
The article said that the Government has narrowed the scope of investigation by the Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water to only include the cause of excess lead found in public housing estates, thereby excluding issues regarding the water supply systems in private buildings. The allegation is groundless and totally inaccurate. When the Commission was set up last week, the Government made it clear that apart from the need to "ascertain the causes of excess lead found in drinking water in public rental housing developments", the terms of reference of the Commission also included the requirements to "review and evaluate the adequacy of the present regulatory and monitoring system in respect of drinking water supply in Hong Kong" and "make recommendations with regard to the safety of drinking water in Hong Kong". This shows that the terms of reference of the Commission are very broad, covering a review on the present system in respect of drinking water supply in various types of buildings in Hong Kong, and making recommendations on this.
The article also mentioned that, according to the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance, the Chief Executive can dictate the direction and content of investigation by the Commission. Such a remark is totally untrue. The Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water is an independent statutory body set up under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance (Cap. 86). It can conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation into the incidents, review the present regulatory and monitoring system in respect of drinking water supply in Hong Kong, and make concrete recommendations with regard to the safety of drinking water. The Commission has statutory powers to require relevant parties to give evidence and produce documents, as well as interview witnesses under oath.
Furthermore, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court Mr Justice Andrew Chan has been appointed as Chairman and Commissioner of the Commission of Inquiry, and former Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and former Ombudsman Mr Alan Lai has been appointed as Commissioner. The independence of the Commission is unquestionable. The Government believes that the Commission will conduct the inquiry in an independent and impartial manner.
Ends/Monday, August 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:32
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