The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 is 107.5 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     Following is a question by the Hon Wong Kwok-kin and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):
 
Question:
 
     The Anderson Road Development (ARD) Area comprises the Development of Anderson Road Quarry Site project which will provide 11 housing sites with a total area of about 12 hectares. Among such sites, there are eight sites and three sites designated respectively for the development of public housing and private housing/Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents pilot project. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the latest projected intake dates for the residential developments on each of the 11 aforesaid sites;

(2) of the latest progress of the East Kowloon Line railway project proposed in the Railway Development Strategy 2014, whose catchment area includes ARD Area; and

(3) of the latest progress of the road improvement works and traffic arrangements implemented to tie in with the development of the ARD Area?

Reply:
 
President,
 
     Having consulted the Transport and Housing Bureau, our reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) The Development of Anderson Road Quarry (ARQ) Site project covers 11 housing sites in total. Of these, eight are for public housing development with completion in phases from 2023/24 to 2025/26, and five of these sites will be completed in 2023/24 and 2024/25. As for the remaining three housing sites, one was successfully sold for private housing development, which is required to be completed within the building covenant under lease by December 31, 2023.  The other two sites have been sold for private housing and Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents (Starter Homes) pilot project development, which are required to be completed within the building covenant under lease by March 31, 2026. The actual date of assignment of the private housing/Starter Homes units at the above-mentioned three development projects are subject to the developers' decisions.

(2) In respect of the East Kowloon Line project recommended under the Railway Development Strategy 2014, the Government had offered comments on the proposal submitted by The MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) and asked MTRCL to improve the technical design contained in the proposal. MTRCL is considering these comments and will explore feasible options to improve the design for the project. Upon firming up the details of the proposed railway scheme such as alignment, location of station(s) and implementation timetable, the Government will consult the public including the Legislative Council (LegCo) and relevant District Councils (DCs) in accordance with the established procedures.

(3) To tie in with the population intakes of the ARQ housing development, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is carrying out construction works of a series of traffic and transport facilities, including an underpass at the southern end and a public transport terminus at the northern end of the ARQ site. These works are expected to be substantially completed by early 2022. CEDD is also constructing a new bus-to-bus interchange at Tseung Kwan O Tunnel Toll Plaza for gradual completion by the end of 2020.
 
     Besides, to meet the traffic demand generated by the additional population moving into the ARQ development, CEDD is implementing the necessary road/junction improvement works which are estimated to be completed in phases by the end of 2023. These works include:

(i) improvement works at the junction of Lin Tak Road and Sau Mau Ping Road, including the construction of a new vehicular flyover of about 390 metres long from Lin Tak Road to Sau Mau Ping Road, and lengthening of laybys at Lin Tak Road near Hong Wah Court and Hing Tin Estate in Lam Tin;

(ii) improvement works at the junction of Clear Water Bay Road and On Sau Road, including the provision of a U-turn facility at Clear Water Bay Road near Fei Ngo Shan Road; and

(iii) widening of a section of New Clear Water Bay Road (Kowloon bound) near Shun Lee Tsuen Road from a single-lane to two-lane carriageway.
 
     In respect of the public transport service arrangements, subject to the progress and date of completion of the new development projects, the Transport Department (TD) will plan and implement in time relevant public transport arrangements to meet the passengers’ demand in the new development area. When drawing up these arrangements, TD will take into account various factors such as the traffic impact assessment, proposals from the public transport operators, traffic conditions of the roads nearby, and views from the local community. TD will consult the Traffic and Transport Committee of relevant DCs on the proposed arrangements.

     In addition, to relieve the road traffic and reduce residents' demand for short road trips, CEDD will construct a series of pedestrian connectivity facilities as part of the ARQ Site project. These facilities are equipped with covered escalator links and footbridges with lift towers, forming a continuous pedestrian network that provides a safe, convenient and barrier-free walking environment round-the-clock. These will enhance connectivity between the ARQ site and the nearby area including the Kwun Tong MTR Station, thereby providing an option to residents for short road trips in addition to taking public transport.  Funding for part of the pedestrian connectivity works were approved by the LegCo Finance Committee in 2016 and 2018 respectively for gradual completion from early 2021. We will seek funding approval from LegCo in the next legislative session, with a view to commencing construction works of the remaining facilities to tie in with the schedule of population intake of the ARQ Site project.

     Following is a question by the Hon Steven Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):
 
Question:
 
     Under the impact of the African Swine Fever epidemic on the Mainland, the number of live pigs supplied to Hong Kong from the Mainland dropped significantly last year, and has not yet returned to its previous level. It has been reported that the situation of unscrupulous traders selling chilled pork as fresh pork is quite rampant due to the persistently high prices of live pigs, members of the public being generally unable to distinguish between fresh and chilled pork, the perfunctory law enforcement by the authorities and the lack of a certification system for fresh pork in Hong Kong. Such situation may cause food safety issues and hit the business of shops selling fresh pork. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective lists of licensed fresh provision shops and market stalls which are permitted to sell fresh pork or chilled pork or both (collectively referred to as "fresh meat shops");
 
(2) of the details of the sampling tests conducted on pork by officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in their inspections of fresh meat shops (including (i) the manpower for managing the sampling process, (ii) the approach adopted for taking pork samples, (iii) the monthly numbers of samples tested and (iv) the testing equipment and methods used);
 
(3) of (i) the number of inspections of fresh meat shops conducted, (ii) the number of reports on traders selling chilled or frozen pork as fresh pork received, and (iii) the respective numbers of prosecutions instituted against operators of fresh meat shops for breaching the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X) and the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Chapter 362), by FEHD in each of the past five years, and the punishments imposed on the convicted persons;
 
(4) as some members of the trade have relayed that quite a number of fresh meat shops display and store chilled pork in ways that are non-compliant with the licensing conditions (e.g. failing to keep chilled pork in a chiller maintained at a temperature between 0 and 4 degrees Celsius, and hanging up defrosted pork to pass it off as fresh pork), whether FEHD officers have used thermometers to detect non-fresh pork when inspecting fresh meat shops; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(5) whether, in the long run, the authorities will adopt a multi-pronged approach to resolve the problem, including (i) proactively improving the procedures for conducting routine inspections of fresh meat shops (e.g. carrying out large-scale inspection operations in a high-profile manner, randomly checking invoices for purchase of pork by fresh meat shops, or mounting decoy operations), (ii) increasing the sources of imported live pigs, and (iii) establishing a comprehensive certification system for fresh pork; if so, of the details (including the implementation timetable); if not, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
 
     My reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Steven Ho is as follows:
 
(1) As at May 31, 2020, the number of licensed fresh provision shops with permission to sell fresh pork, chilled pork and both is 490, 357 and 592 respectively; the number of stalls in public markets with permission to sell fresh pork, chilled pork and both is 545, 26 and 8 respectively. Lists of the premises concerned are in Annex 1 and Annex 2.
 
(2) For inspections of fresh provision shops, the Centre of Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) adopts a risk-based principle of taking food samples at the import, wholesale and retail levels for testing under its Food Surveillance Programme to ensure that food products comply with the local statutory requirements and are fit for human consumption. As meat testing is part of the food surveillance duties and the responsible staff are also tasked with other duties, the manpower involved in this aspect of work alone cannot be separately computed.
 
     From January 2016 to May 2020, the CFS collected more than 6 100 samples of pork (including fresh, chilled and frozen pork) for chemical and microbiological testing. Except for six fresh pork samples detected to contain a preservative, sulphur dioxide, all samples were found satisfactory. The CFS has announced the unsatisfactory testing results and taken follow-up actions.
      
     The instruments commonly used by the Government Laboratory for testing include the spectrophotometer, the chromatograph and the mass spectrometer, etc. The test methods are validated in accordance with international standards. The testing procedures generally consist of extraction, purification and analysis by instruments, etc.
 
(3) The number of inspections of fresh provision shops and market meat stalls conducted by FEHD, as well as the number of reports on selling chilled or frozen pork as fresh pork received by FEHD in each of the past five years (from January 2016 to May 2020) are tabulated below.
 

Note 1: Fresh provision shops include shops for various kinds of meat, marine products and poultry.  FEHD does not keep a separate breakdown on inspection of fresh provision shops selling fresh pork only.
Note 2: Market meat stall does not include marine products and poultry.  FEHD does not keep a separate breakdown on inspection of market stalls selling fresh pork only.
Note 3: Up to May 31, 2020.
 
     During the abovementioned period, FEHD prosecuted four fresh provision shops and one market stall under Food Business Regulation for selling fresh pork and un-prepackaged chilled pork in the same premises. Two of the cases were convicted and fined $2,000 and $3,000 respectively and the remaining three cases are pending trial in the court. Besides, during the same period, one fresh provision shop breached the licence condition for selling chilled pork as fresh pork and its fresh provision shop licence was cancelled by FEHD.
      
     Besides, in the past five years (from January 2016 to May 2020), the Customs and Excise Department received a total of 73 complaints relating to suspected violations of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance involving the sale of chilled or frozen pork with false claim as fresh pork. Upon completion of investigation, no violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance was detected. As such, there is no prosecution or conviction to date.
 
(4) When inspecting the premises concerned, apart from checking the cleanliness and maintenance conditions of the refrigerators, whether the thermometer is functioning properly as well as the temperature indicated, FEHD staff also check the temperature of the refrigerator by handheld infra-red thermometers to ensure compliance of the relevant licence condition. Besides, premises selling both fresh meat and prepackaged chilled meat or selling chilled meat only are both required to display a notice with specified dimensions at conspicuous place of the shop frontage facing the customers so as to indicate clearly the product types being sold at the premises. The premises shall not display chilled meat as fresh meat or sell it as fresh meat as well.
 
(5) During the regular inspection of the fresh provision shops and market meat stalls and upon receiving complaints, FEHD will inspect the invoices and source of the relevant pig carcasses. For suspected non-compliances of operations or if there are suspicions over the relevant invoices and source, FEHD will carry out investigations and take appropriate follow up actions, including deploying agent provocateurs to collect relevant evidence and information. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution and/or follow up action on the breach on licence condition will be carried out. Besides, FEHD will also arrange blitz thematic inspections and enforcement programmes to enhance the monitoring of licensed food premises on a need basis, with a view to ensuring that the hygienic conditions and operations are in compliance with the licence conditions and regulations under the law.
 
     In regard to the proposal from the trade earlier on importing live pigs from other places (such as Thailand, Korea and Malaysia) in order to increase the source of live pig supply, the Government is willing and has been exploring the feasibility with the trade and relevant stakeholders, as well as coordinating accordingly. However, importation of live food animals entails public health and food safety considerations, including the need of a stringent protocol for testing and quarantine in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases via animals and ensure that animals imported are safe for consumption. In addition, the Government also needs to consider in details the level of surveillance and management of animal health by relevant authorities of exporting places and the transparency of such system. As food animals from various sources may entail different risks, we have to exercise caution.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (June 24) announced an adjustment to the auto-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations from July 1 to July 31, 2020, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts of the dedicated LPG filling stations.
 
     A department spokesman said that the adjustment on July 1, 2020, reflects the movement of the LPG international price in June 2020. The adjusted auto-LPG ceiling prices for dedicated LPG filling stations will range from $2.55 to $3.11 per litre, representing a decrease of $0.02 per litre.
 
     The spokesman said that the auto-LPG ceiling prices were adjusted according to a specified pricing formula. The formula comprises two elements – the LPG international price and the LPG operating price. The LPG international price is the LPG international price of the preceding month. The LPG operating price is adjusted on the first day of February every year according to the movement in the Composite Consumer Price Index in the previous year.
      
     The auto-LPG ceiling prices for respective dedicated LPG filling stations in July 2020 are as follows:
 

     The spokesman said that the details of the LPG international price and the auto-LPG ceiling price of each dedicated LPG filling station have been uploaded to the department website www.emsd.gov.hk. They are also posted at dedicated LPG filling stations to enable the trades to monitor the price adjustment.
      
     Details of the pricing adjustment mechanism for dedicated LPG filling stations can also be viewed under the "What's New" section of the department website at www.emsd.gov.hk/en/what_s_new/current/index.html.

     Following is a question by Hon Jeremy Tam and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, in the Legislative Council today (June 24):
    
Question:
 
     It has been reported that some police officers who were on duty at the scenes of public events behaved erratically, including swearing at and violently assaulting members of the public, as well as grinning hideously while pointing arms at crowds, which had aroused suspicion as to whether they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, some police officers were arrested in recent months for allegedly stealing methamphetamine exhibits or assaulting their colleagues after drink. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1)  of the number of cases in the past five years in which police officers were convicted of drug-related offences, as well as the details of such cases, including the offence dates, case summaries, types and quantities of the drugs involved, as well as the convicted offence(s);
 
(2)  as it has been reported that the Police intend to implement a scheme for conducting drug tests on those police officers who may be transferred to sensitive positions or be promoted, but the scheme is only voluntary in nature, whether the Police will conduct surprise and mandatory drug tests on police officers randomly selected among all of them, and specify the punishments for refusal to take the tests, so as to enhance the deterrent effect; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
 
(3)  whether the Police have prescribed an alcohol concentration limit for on-duty police officers; if so, of the limit; whether it has conducted surprise and mandatory alcohol breath tests on randomly selected on-duty police officers; if so, of the details, including the respective numbers of person-times of police officers taking and refusing to take the tests, the number of person-times of police officers whose alcohol concentration exceeded the limit and the average magnitude by which the limit was exceeded, as well as the disciplinary actions that the police officers concerned were subjected to, in each of the past five years; if it has not conducted tests, the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President:
 
     The Police attach great importance to the conduct and behaviour of officers. Police officers must meet requirements on behaviour and discipline, and must uphold the Police's values in such areas as impartiality and professionalism.
 
     The behaviour of police officers is strictly regulated by the Police (Discipline) Regulations (Cap 232A) and the Police General Orders. In addition, the Hong Kong Police Force manages officers' discipline and conduct through administrative measures, by rebuking officers for their inappropriate behaviour. Rebuke is an administrative measure which aims to immediately intervene in, stop and rectify the inappropriate behaviour of officers, and to let other officers know that such behaviour is inappropriate. If it is found upon further investigations by the Police that other actions are required, disciplinary or criminal investigations and procedures will be carried out.
 
     The Police will follow up on any act of breach of law or discipline in a serious manner and require supervisors to strictly discharge their supervisory duties. The Police will investigate all cases of breach of law or discipline in a serious manner, handling them fairly and impartially.
 
     My reply to various parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) In the past five years (i.e. from 2015 to 2019), a total of six regular police officers were arrested for drug-related offences, which included possession of dangerous drugs. Among them, three were convicted, including:
 
(i) In 2016, a police officer was sentenced to imprisonment for two months, suspended for two years, for possession of dangerous drugs. The officer was dismissed in the same year;
 
(ii) In 2018, a police officer was sentenced to imprisonment for eight months for possession of dangerous drugs. The officer was dismissed in 2019; and
 
(iii) In 2019, a police officer was sentenced to 18-month probation order and a fine of $5,000 for possession of dangerous drugs and other offences. The officer also had to receive drug treatment. The relevant disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.
 
     During the same period, two officers were released unconditionally after investigation. The remaining one is awaiting trial, and it is thus inappropriate to discuss the case details at the current stage. 

(2) The Police have always attached great importance to the integrity management of police officers. The Police have put in place the Integrated Integrity Management Framework (the Framework) to promote integrity and honesty among officers, as well as to monitor their discipline and integrity. The Framework is implemented through a four-pronged approach, namely: –

(i) "education and culture-building of integrity";
(ii) "governance and control";
(iii) "enforcement and deterrence";and
(iv) "rehabilitation and support".
 
     Currently, the Police have three standing committees implementing integrity management. The Force Committee on Integrity Management, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) as Chairman and three Assistant Directors of the Independent Commission Against Corruption as members, is responsible for formulating and assessing integrity management strategies. The Integrity Management Co-ordinating Committee and the Formation Integrity Committees are responsible for co-ordinating related work and implementing relevant measures in Headquarters formations and various Police Districts respectively.
 
     To further strengthen integrity management, the Police established the Integrity Audit Action Group (IAAG) last month. The objectives of IAAG are as follows:
 
(i) to proactively investigate cases of suspected serious breach of discipline or even illegal acts of officers;
(ii) to identify work procedures with potential risks for rectification as early as possible; and
(iii) to enhance the monitoring and supervision regime on the behaviour and conduct of officers.
 
     At present, IAAG, under the command of the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Service Quality), comprises 15 members and reports its work directly to the Commissioner of Police. IAAG is conducting feasibility studies on various initiatives, including arranging for officers to undergo voluntary drug tests before appointment or transfer to sensitive positions. These initiatives aim to establish a healthy departmental culture, enhance prevention of misconduct, step up deterrence and maintain public confidence. The Police's management is collecting the views of officers in order to strike a balance between the protection of officers' privacy and the prevention of illegal acts. The scheme is currently under study.
 
(3) The behaviour of police officers is strictly regulated by the Police (Discipline) Regulations, which specify 13 disciplinary offences, such as "absence from duty without leave or good cause", "conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline", "contravention of police regulations, or any police orders, whether written or verbal", "conduct calculated to bring the public service into disrepute”, etc.;  “being unfit for duty through intoxication" is one of the specified disciplinary offences. If officers have committed any one of these specified offences, the Police will take disciplinary actions in accordance with established procedures. If officers are found guilty of a breach of discipline, the Police will award punishment according to the gravity of the offences, including awarding punishment of compulsory retirement, ordered resignation or other punishment for serious offences.
 
     Over the past five years (i.e. from 2015 to 2019), no police officer was found guilty of breaching the disciplinary offence of "being unfit for duty through intoxication".
 
     Regarding mandatory alcohol breath tests, at present there is only such a legal power for drink-driving in Hong Kong, and no such power under other situations. However, the Force will ensure good conduct and discipline of officers in its routine management. Supervisors will brief officers under their command before the latter carry out duty, and will pay attention to officers' mental condition while checking on their dress and appearance. If there is any sign of officers being influenced by alcohol, supervisors will take appropriate follow-up actions including disciplinary investigation.
 
     The HKSAR Government understands that members of the public have very high expectations of the conduct and discipline of the disciplined services. As a professional disciplined force, the Police have rigorous discipline and regime to manage the conduct and behavior of officers. The breach of discipline or illegal act of individual officers does not represent the values of the Police, and we also should not, due to the extremely small number of isolated cases, obliterate the contribution and efforts of other police officers who remain dedicated to their duties. Officers who have committed a breach of law or discipline shall take personal responsibility. If any officer is suspected to have committed a breach of law or discipline, the Police will follow up the matter seriously in accordance with the mechanism, conduct investigations and take appropriate actions.
 
     Thank you President.