Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, on the development of country parks after attending the launching ceremony of the Energy Saving for All 2017 Campaign today (May 18):
 
Reporter: Mr Wong, why did the Government decide to appoint the Housing Society to conduct the survey when it could well have done the survey on its own?
 
Secretary for the Environment: The press release issued by both the Housing Society and the Government should have answered your question.
 
Reporter: Was the Environment Bureau fully aware that the Housing Society is going to conduct such a survey? Did the Government inform the bureau beforehand?
 
Secretary for the Environment: On this incident, there were a number of bureaux being kept informed, from, say the Policy Address 2017 to recently, including the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Development Bureau and the Environment Bureau. All these bureaux should have been kept well informed.
 
Reporter: So not the Environment Bureau?
 
Secretary for the Environment: I said that there were a number of bureaux being kept informed of the issue, including the Transport and Housing Bureau, the Development Bureau and the Environment Bureau.
 
Reporter: Is it appropriate to develop the country parks first when there are so many brownfield sites that have not been developed?
 
Secretary for the Environment: I think that this issue should be better responded by the concerned bureau, in particular, the Development Bureau. My understanding is that actually the Government has been looking on developing a number of or a high percentage of brownfield sites already. So it is not correct to say that the Government is not working on the brownfield sites.
 
Reporter: Can you explain again why did the Government choose the Housing Society to conduct the survey, rather than the other consultative bodies as well as seeking funding from the Legislative Council? Could you explain in your own words because I did not get your first response?
 
Secretary for the Environment: I do not think that the Environment Bureau is the best representative to answer your question but I think the press release issued by the two concerned parties should have given an answer to this.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Thursday, May 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:42

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