RECENTLY, there have been several reports in papers, including the South China Morning Post, on the Marine Department's current practice of open burning of boats.
I would like to assure your readers categorically that, when the Open Burning Regulations under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance come into force, no permit will be issued to the Marine Department to allow continuation of the practice of burning boats. The Marine Department is well aware of our position and is planning accordingly.
In responding to queries from reporters, I sought to explain that the regulations banning open burning contained a provision for the issue of a permit to cover any exceptional circumstances where open burning would be the only reasonable possibility. In the rare cases that a permit would be issued, the decision would be taken on the basis of the details of the particular circumstances, and would in no way depend on whether the applicant for the permit is a private individual or firm, or a government department.
C. W. TSE Officer-in Charge (Air) for Director of Environmental Protection