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)058
Question Serial No.
Head : 44 Environmental Protection Department Subhead(No. & title): 0819
Programme : (2) Air
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : (a) The number of smoky vehicle reports processed this year has reduced by more than 10,000 as compared
to last year. What are the reasons?
(b) How much resources will be put in and what specific measures will be taken to reduce emissions from
motor vehicles in 2003-04?
Asked by : Hon. LAU Kin-yee, Miriam
Reply : (a) As compared to 2001, the number of smoky vehicle reports processed in 2002 had been reduced due to a
decrease in the number of smoky vehicles on our roads. The reduction in the number of smoky vehicles has
been achieved as a result of a number of programmes, including:
Gototop
(i) 2,598 more diesel taxis having been replaced by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) taxis in 2002,
(ii) the extension of the dynamometer smoke test to smoky diesel heavy vehicles in 2002, and
(iii) the completion of the programme to retrofit pre-Euro diesel vehicles up to four tonnes with particulate
removal devices in October 2001.
The commencement of the incentive scheme for replacing diesel light buses by LPG and electric light buses
in August 2002 had also helped reduce the number of smoky vehicle reports processed in 2002.
(b) For 2003-04, the Administration has put in direct resources of $406.5 million (including recurrent operating
expenses and capital account expenditure) for reducing motor vehicle emissions.
Apart from our on-going activities including operating the smoky vehicle control programme, tightening
whenever practicable and enforcing the requirements for the emissions of first-registered vehicles and motor
vehicle fuels, the resources will also be used for the following specific measures:
(i) to continue the subsidy programme to install particulate removal devices in pre-Euro heavy diesel
vehicles,
(ii) to continue the incentive programme to encourage the early replacement of diesel taxis by LPG taxis,
(iii) to continue the incentive programme to encourage the early replacement of diesel light buses by LPG or
electric light buses, and
(iv) to require pre-Euro diesel vehicles up to four tonnes to be installed with approved particulate removal
devices, subject to LegCo's approval of the legislative proposal.
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 20 March 2003