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Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a reply by the acting Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Miss Yvonne Choi, in the Legislative Council today (May 2):

Question:

It has been reported that the Green Island Cement Co Ltd, in collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, is conducting a research on the production of a raw material for manufacturing cement by incinerating waste in the company's plant in Tuen Mun. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether prior approval has been given by relevant government departments for conducting such a research; if so, of the justifications for approving the research; if not, how it will follow up the issue?

Reply:

Madam President,

The Green Island Cement Co Ltd and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology submitted an application to the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) in March 2000 to apply for funds under the University-Industry Collaboration Programme of the Innovation and Technology Fund to undertake a research project to produce raw materials for cement production by treating wastes with high temperature. Having carefully considered its research content and the technology involved, the ITC considered that the application met the assessment criteria of the funding scheme. It therefore approved the funding support to the project by providing half of the project cost. The Green Island Cement Co Ltd will bear the remaining half of the project cost according to the requirement of that funding scheme. The project commenced in May 2000 and is expected to be completed by June 2002.

As far as this research project is concerned, the ITC is only responsible for providing funds and monitoring its progress to ensure that it meets the original objectives. As with other similar projects, the recipient company, i.e. the Green Island Cement Co Ltd, has to be fully responsible for all the other aspects of the project, including submitting applications to the relevant government departments for any necessary permissions or licences.

As the Green Island Cement Co Ltd plans to carry out the waste incinerating process early next year for research, it will submit an application to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in due course for a specified process licence under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance for its pilot waste incineration plant. When the EPD receives the application, it will consider the application according to the criteria stipulated in the Ordinance. No exemption or special treatment will be given.

End/Wednesday, May 2, 2001

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