Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04 Reply Serial No.
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)042
Head : 44 Environmental Protection Department Subhead(No. &
title):
Programme : (2) Air
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question Serial No.
Question :Would the Government inform this Council:
The work to be carried out in the coming financial year in following up the results of both
the study on air pollution problems in the Pearl River Delta Region and the consensus
reached with the Guangdong Provincial Government to improve air quality in the Region.
What are the expenditure involved? Has the expenditure been included in the estimates
under Programme 2?
Asked by : Hon. CHOY So-yuk
Reply : In 2003-04, the following work will be carried out as a result of both the Pearl River Delta
Regional Air Quality Study and the consensus reached with the Guangdong Provincial
Government:
Gototop
0018
(a) drawing up a plan for improving regional air quality;
(b) evaluating the feasibility of a pilot emission trading scheme for some power stations in
the region;
(c) establishing and operating a network of regional air quality monitoring stations;
(d) developing a handbook for compiling regional emission inventory;
(e) compiling the regional emission inventory for year 2001; and
(f) conducting technical exchange programmes.
Our part of the work will cost about $6.40 million, which has already been included in the
estimates for 2003-04 under Programme 2.
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 20 March 2003