The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 29) announced its approval of the 28th batch of applications for the trials of green innovative transport technologies under the Pilot Green Transport Fund.

     The six newly approved applications are for the trials of seven electric light goods vehicles and involve a total subsidy of about $1.5 million. The applications were from:

Cheuk Wing Electronics Technology Co Limited
Crown Asia Engineering Limited
Fat Kee Noodle Factory Limited
ITE Smartcard Solutions Limited
Shanghai Construction Overseas Engineering Limited
The Net-A-Porter Group Asia Pacific Limited

     The latest approval brings the total number of trials being pursued under the Fund to 186 for testing 131 electric light goods vehicles, 21 single-deck electric buses, three electric light buses, three electric taxis, one electric medium goods vehicle (tractor), 48 hybrid light goods vehicles, 27 hybrid medium goods vehicles, 20 hybrid public light buses, two single-deck hybrid buses, one solar air-conditioning system for a bus, four electric inverter air-conditioning systems for buses, three diesel-electric propulsion systems for ferries and one seawater scrubber for a ferry, amounting to a total subsidy of about $155 million.

     At present, 125 approvals under the Fund are already on trial. Ninety-three of them have completed the trials, involving 51 electric light goods vehicles, nine single-deck electric buses, three electric taxis, three electric light buses, 37 hybrid light goods vehicles, 21 hybrid medium goods vehicles, eight hybrid public light buses, one solar air-conditioning system for a bus, four electric inverter air-conditioning systems for buses, one diesel-electric propulsion system for a ferry and one seawater scrubber for a ferry have completed their trials. The EPD will continue to upload the reports once completed to the Fund's website for public information.

     The Government put in place the $300 million Fund in March 2011 to subsidise the testing of green innovative transport technologies. The Fund is open for applications from public transport operators, charitable and non-profit making organisations providing services to clients, and goods vehicle operators. The technologies for trial include alternative-fuelled vehicles, conversion of in-use conventional vehicles to alternative-fuelled vehicles, and after-treatment emission reduction devices or fuel saving devices related to transport activities. Transport operators may apply for the Fund to try out different green innovative products subject to a maximum subsidy of $9 million for each application and $12 million in total.

     For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.

     The Government today (May 29) announced the re-appointment of the incumbent Chairman and four members to the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC). The appointment of Chairman will be from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021; and the appointment of four members will be from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2022.
 
     Dr Anthony Francis Neoh has been re-appointed as Chairman. The re-appointed members are Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing, Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen, Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen and Mr Roland Wong Ka-yeung. 
 
     The appointments are made by the Chief Executive according to section 5 of the IPCC Ordinance (Cap. 604). 
 
     The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, said, "The IPCC's work in coping with many new challenges brought by the ever changing and complex social circumstances is no small feat. I would like to thank Dr Neoh for his dedication to the work of the IPCC over the past two years, and also for accepting, notwithstanding personal considerations, the re-appointment for another year until the end of May 2021."
 
     Mr Lee said that the Government was most grateful for the invaluable contributions of the IPCC in ensuring a fair, effective and transparent two-tier police complaints system in Hong Kong. The Government would continue to give full support to the IPCC in discharging its statutory monitoring functions and uphold a fair and impartial police complaints system.
 
     The IPCC, established under the IPCC Ordinance, is an independent statutory body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the investigation of complaints against members of the Police Force. The IPCC Ordinance provides a statutory basis for the IPCC's role and power and the two-tier police complaints system. It also imposes a statutory duty on the Police to comply with the IPCC's requirements. The IPCC comprises a Chairman, three Vice-chairmen and 22 non-official members.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, May 29, 2020 is 108.9 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 29) investigating a suspected case of food poisoning related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to collect and eat wild mushrooms from parks or the countryside.

     A 57-year-old female patient developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea about two hours after consuming mushrooms at home today. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and was admitted to the hospital for further management on the same day. The patient is now in a stable condition.

     Initial investigations revealed that the patient had consumed wild mushrooms picked near Fu Heng Estate, Tai Po yesterday (May 28). An investigation is ongoing.

     "Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms such as profuse sweating, hallucinations, coma or other neurological symptoms as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," a CHP spokesman said.

     "We advise the public to buy mushrooms from reputable and reliable suppliers and not to buy mushroom products which may be mixed with unknown species. Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones. Mixing of edible species with inedible or poisonous species of mushrooms will not dilute toxicity. Cooking in most cases does not destroy toxicity," the spokesman added.

     "If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification," the spokesman said.

     The Lands Department announced today (May 29) that demand notes for Government rent in excess of $100 per annum for the half year ending June 24 in respect of properties subject to the Government Leases Ordinance (Chapter 40) and certain other properties have been issued.

     Payers can settle Government rent through various electronic means including autopay, bank automated teller machines (ATMs), e-Cheque/e-Cashier's Order, payment by phone service (PPS), and bill payment services provided by banks and PPS on the Internet. Payment may also be made in person and in cash at designated convenience stores. For details, please visit the Treasury's website at www.try.gov.hk.

     Payment may be made by sending a crossed cheque to PO Box No. 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong, or in person to any post office. Please ensure sufficient mailing time and postage to make the delivery in order. Underpaid mail will be rejected. For locations of post offices and their opening hours, please call Hongkong Post's enquiry hotline at 2921 2222 or visit its website at www.hongkongpost.hk.

     Government rent payers who have not received their demand notes should enquire at the Government Rent and Premium Unit of the Lands Department at 1/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, or call 2231 3033.

     Purchasers of properties are strongly advised to instruct their solicitors to ensure that Government rent has been paid to date at the time of purchase. Enquiries on outstanding accounts can be made at 2231 3033 or email to landsd@landsd.gov.hk. An enquiry fee is payable for each property if a written confirmation of an accounts position is needed.