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Martin Lee Chu-ming (left), speaking for three affected residents; Ambrose Ho Pui-him (centre), representing the Housing Authority and Alan Lai Nin (right), member of the independent two-man commission, arrive for its preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Photos: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong government should pay legal costs of residents affected by lead-in-water scandal, inquiry hears

The government should pay the legal costs of three Hong Kong public housing estate residents who are seeking to have their cases heard by a judge-led investigation into the city’s lead-in-water scandal, an inquiry heard.

The government should pay the legal costs of three Hong Kong public housing estate residents who are seeking to have their cases heard by a judge-led investigation into the city’s lead-in-water scandal, an inquiry heard today.

The Commission of Inquiry into Excess Lead Found in Drinking Water is conducting its preliminary hearing at the former Court of Final Appeal building today, before it enters into investigative hearings on November 2.

A total of 15 parties, including the Housing Authority, Water Supplies Department, building contractors, sub-contractors and licensed plumbers have been summoned to give evidence.

Speaking for three affected residents – three parents with young children, including one breastfeeding mother who gave birth to her baby last year – senior counsel Martin Lee Chu-ming, argued the government should pay for water users’ legal fees in the inquiry, should they make an application.

“All the parties which may be criticised have their legal teams to represent them, which they should. Shouldn’t citizens and victims be represented as well?” Lee said.

READ MORE: Toxic water scandal continues: Two more Hong Kong kindergartens report excessive lead-in-water levels

Lee is speaking at the preliminary hearing on a pro bono basis but said he planned to recommend another senior counsel to take up the job thereafter, saying he was too old to handle a long investigation.

Judge Andrew Chan Hing-wai, 54, of the Court of First Instance, leads the independent two-man commission. The other member of the commission, Alan Lai Nin, 64, has served as director of the Office of the Ombudsman and as Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The commission is the third body set up to investigate the lead-in-water scandal since it broke out in mid-July.

Two weeks ago, a review committee under the Housing Authority released an interim report, recommending three layers of checks in the building process to ensure no substandard soldering materials were used in the installation of fresh water pipes.

Last month, a task force composed of both government officials and external experts announced preliminary findings in its investigation. It called for a series of measures, including the centralisation of soldering material procurement to prevent the crisis from repeating.

The hearing continues this afternoon.

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