Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, after attending the meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development today (December 10):

Reporter: Secretary, what do you think of the tariff increase this time, and can you also comment on whether the Government will look for ways to reduce the tariff increase in the future? Because once the subsidy is used up, people will be paying even more for their tariffs and there will be a greater backlash.

Secretary for the Environment: In response to your last point, what you said might not be most accurate. For instance, for the residential units, we anticipated that there would be an incremental increase. But we announced the electricity charges relief last year. Even there would be an incremental increase over the five years but the material impact on the residential units would be minimal as we have a relief of $50 on average each month. But for the non-residential units, I think the major issue is more about on how to restore the economic situation and social order. But for this particular year, due to special circumstances, that as Government, we provide subsidy and also urge the power companies to do more to support the non-residential units, so it is done for this particular year. As mentioned, we would like to support the environmental transformation by the power companies. So we have offered both the relief and subsidies to tackle the situation. Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     Hongkong Post announced today (December 10) that, as advised by the postal administration of Australia, the hazardous air quality in Sydney caused by bushfires is affecting the operation of Sydney's mail processing centre, thus resulting in delays for all mail delivery services (including Speedpost Service) to New South Wales (postcodes 2000-2999) and nearby areas. 

     Police today (December 10) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Ma On Shan.

     Yan Chi-ho, aged 54, went missing after he left his residence in Chung On Estate yesterday afternoon (December 9). His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.75 metres tall, 80 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a light brown long-sleeved jacket, light blue jeans and white shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9689 7445 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Multi-functional Smart Lampposts Technical Advisory Ad Hoc Committee held its fifth meeting today (December 10). Members reached a consensus at the meeting that while the Government should continue with the smart lamppost project for smart city development in Hong Kong, cameras on the smart lampposts should be replaced by other technology solutions.

     The Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam, who is also the Convenor of the Committee, said, "Five meetings were held in the past few months to review in detail the functions and technologies employed in smart lampposts as well as to make recommendations in response to public concerns over privacy. The Committee unanimously agreed that replacement technology solutions for cameras, such as LIDAR and thermal detectors, should be adopted to enlist wider community support for smart lampposts as well as smart city development."

     The Committee agreed that the Government should continue with the smart lamppost project after taking out cameras, especially given the rollout of the fifth generation mobile service in near future.

     "To avoid lagging behind, Hong Kong must catch up at full steam in smart city development. We will also continue to open up city data collected by smart lampposts to drive smart city development," Mr Lam added.

     The original design of smart lampposts included panoramic cameras which aim to collect real-time traffic data and traffic snapshot images, and surveillance cameras which aim to monitor traffic conditions and tackle illegal dumping of construction waste.

     The Committee proposed that each and every new smart device to be installed on smart lampposts in future should go through a third-party review and assessment to ensure compliance with international privacy and security standards (ISO 27000 series). The Committee also suggested that the Government enhance public education and promotion on smart lampposts. As always, the Government will only commence installation of new devices after consulting relevant stakeholders, including the Legislative Council and concerned District Councils.

     Members also received briefings by officers of the Environmental Protection Department, the Lands Department and the Transport Department on replacement technology solutions to individual applications on smart lampposts and related privacy protection measures in the light of members' suggestions.

     Consensus reached by the Committee today will be included in the Committee report. The discussion papers for the Committee will be uploaded onto the Multi-functional Smart Lampposts thematic webpage: www.ogcio.gov.hk/en/our_work/strategies/initiatives/smart_lampposts/.  It is expected that the Committee will submit a detailed report to the Government in February 2020.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting tomorrow (December 11) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Mr Wong Ting-kwong and Mr Wong Kwok-kin will move separate motions under Rule 49B(1) of the Rules of Procedure to relieve Ms Tanya Chan and Mr Shiu Ka-chun of their duties as Members of the Legislative Council. The motions are set out in Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.
 
     Dr Kwok Ka-ki and Ms Claudia Mo will move separate motions under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Dr Junius Ho. The motions are set out in Appendices 3 and 4 respectively.
 
     Ms Yung Hoi-yan and Dr Ho will also move separate motions under Rule 49B(1A) of the Rules of Procedure to censure Dr Cheng Chung-tai and Mr Lam Cheuk-ting. The motions are set out in Appendices 5 and 6 respectively.
 
     The Chief Secretary for Administration will present "The Government Minute in response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee No. 71A and No. 72 of May and July 2019" and address the Council.

     On Government Bill, the Fisheries Protection (Amendment) Bill 2019 will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bill will be adjourned.
 
     On Members' motions, Dr Chiang Lai-wan will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending the Veterinary Surgeons Board (Election of Members) Regulation, laid on the table of the Council on November 13, 2019, to the meeting of January 8, 2020. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 7.
 
     Mr Dennis Kwok will move a motion under Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law to summon the Secretary for Justice and Director of the Chief Executive's Office to produce papers and testify. The motion is set out in Appendix 8.
 
     Mr Andrew Wan, Mr Jeremy Tam, Dr Kwok and Mr Au Nok-hin will move four separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance and Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law, in relation to the protest occurred outside the Legislative Council on June 12, 2019. The motions are set out in Appendices 9-12 respectively.
 
     Mr Lam and Ms Mo will move two separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, in relation to the incident of assaults occurred in Yuen Long Station of West Rail Line of the MTR Corporation Limited on July 21, 2019. The motions are set out in Appendices 13 and 14 respectively.
 
     Mr Alvin Yeung, Dr Kwok and Mr Kwong Chun-yu will move three separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance and Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law, in relation to the incident of assaults occurred in Prince Edward Station of the MTR Corporation Limited on August 31, 2019. The motions are set out in Appendices 15-17 respectively.
 
     Ms Chan, Dr Kwok, Dr Fernando Cheung, Mr Gary Fan and Mr Kenneth Leung will move eight separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance and Article 73(5) and (10) of the Basic Law, in relation to the Police's handling of protesters and persons performing duties in the protests during the "anti-extradition to China" movement.　The motions are set out in Appendices 18-25 respectively.
 
     Mr Chung Kwok-pan and Dr Priscilla Leung will also move two separate motions under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, in relation to the causes and consequences of the social conflicts or disturbances arising from the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and related matters. The motions are set out in Appendices 26 and 27 respectively. Mr James To will move an amendment to Dr Leung's motion.
 
     Meanwhile, Mr Kwok will move a motion on no confidence in the Fifth Term Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as set out in Appendix 28. Ms Mo will move an amendment to Mr Kwok's motion.
 
     Mr Ho Kai-ming will move a motion on ensuring children's right to play for them to grow up happily. The motion is set out in Appendix 29. Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Dr Kwok, Dr Cheung, Dr Chiang and Mr Hui Chi-fung will move separate amendments to Mr Ho's motion.
 
     During the meeting, Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.
 
     The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found on the LegCo Website.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. They may reserve seats by calling 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also watch or listen to the meeting via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.