Advisory Council on the Environment Visit to Europe
(ACE Paper 23/2001)
For information
Purpose
This paper updates Members on the arrangements being made for the visit to Europe and seeks Members' advice on how the allocation of $200,000 should be utilized.
Participation
2. A total of 10 Members have confirmed that they would take part in the visit. In addition, Mr. Raistlin Lau, Principal Assistant Secretary for the Environment and Food, and Mr. Benny Wong, Assistant Director (Waste and Water) of the Environmental Protection Department will join the visit. The list of participants is at Annex 1.
Itinerary
3. We circulated Paper 20/2001 on 15 May 2001 proposing that, based on Members' preference, the visit should cover London/Manchester, Paris and Oslo. In addition, it was suggested that the visit could be extended by one day to cover the study of environmental impact assessment mechanism in Amsterdam if more than four Members would take part in it. Subsequently, nine Members including the Chairman indicated their wish to visit also Amsterdam. Having regard to Members' latest advice, we have updated the itinerary as at Annex 2.
4. The Secretariat has approached the British Consulate General, the Consulates General of France, the Netherlands and Norway in Hong Kong and the respective Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices for assistance in arranging the visit. The itinerary at Annex 2 is subject to changes upon advice of these offices.
Funding Allocation
5. The total allocation available for the visit is $200,000. It is recommended that the amount be equally shared among the 10 Members to cover the expenses of the visit. Each Member is required to share group expenses on transportation, souvenir, etc. on equal basis. The Secretariat will make use of the allocation to purchase air tickets for the Members as a group (individual Members who have other plans before and/or after the visit will make their own arrangements). The remaining amount, if any, will be used to pay for transportation and souvenirs for the receiving authorities, and for other expenses arising from the visit on reimbursement basis.
Other Points to Note
6. Holders of British, Canadian, Singapore, USA, or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports will not require any visa for the visit. However, Members holding British Nationals (Overseas) passports will require an entrance visa to visit France and Norway.
7. The Secretariat will proceed with the booking of air tickets in due course. Members who have any special requirements are requested to advise us on or before 20 June 2001. If possible, the Secretariat may purchase non-reroutable tickets at a group fare which is cheaper but there may be requirements/costs on subsequent changes of individual ticket.
Advice Sought
8. Members are requested to note the arrangements made and to endorse the proposals in paragraph 5 regarding the funding allocation.
ACE Secretariat
June 2001
Annex 1
Mr. Peter Wong (Chairman)
Mr. Daniel Cheng
Dr. Ho Kin-chung
Prof. Lam Kin-che
Mr. Lin Chaan-ming
Dr. Ng Cho-nam
Mr. Otto Poon
Ms. Iris Tam
Miss Alex Yau*
Mr. Plato Yip
Environment and Food Bureau
Mr. Raistlin Lau, Principal Assistant Secretary
Environmental Protection Department
Mr. Benny Wong, Assistant Director (Waste and Water)
* Will not join the visit to Amsterdam
Annex 2
Draft Itinerary for the Visit to Europe
7 to 16 August 2001
| Date | Local Time | Programme |
|---|---|---|
| 6 August(Monday) | 23:15 | Depart Hong Kong for London |
| 7 August(Tuesday) HK/ London/ Manchester |
05:15 | Arrive London Heathrow Airport |
| a.m. | Visit the Crossness Sludge Incinerator - to be confirmed by the Consulate | |
| p.m. | Discussion with the environmental authority or relevant organizations etc. - details to be advised by the Consulate | |
| 20:45 | Depart London for Manchester | |
| 21:40 | Arrive Manchester Airport | |
| 8 August (Wednesday) Manchester | a.m. | Visit the Manchester Sewage Treatment Plant - to be confirmed by the Consulate |
| p.m. | Discussion with the environmental authority or relevant organizations etc. - details to be advised by the Consulate | |
| 9 August(Thursday)Manchester/Oslo | 07:00 | Depart Manchester for Oslo |
| 10:10 | Arrive Oslo Airport p.m. Meeting with the environmental authority or relevant organizations, etc - details to be advised by the Consulate | |
| 10 August (Friday) Oslo/Paris |
a.m. | Visit the Oslo Sewage Treatment Plant - to be confirmed by the Consulate |
| p.m. | Meeting with the environmental authority or relevant organizations, etc. - details to be advised by the Consulate | |
| 20:20 | Depart Oslo for Paris | |
| 22:45 | Arrive Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport | |
| 11 August(Saturday) Paris |
a.m. | Visit the Azalys Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator - to be confirmed by the Consulate(The Chairman, Mr. Peter Wong would like to invite the party out on Saturday evening) |
| 12 August (Sunday) Paris |
Free time | |
| 13 August(Monday)Paris | a.m. | Visit the Colombes Sewage Treatment Plant - to be confirmed by the Consulate p.m. Visit the Acheres Sewage Treatment Plant - to be confirmed by the Consulate |
| 14 August (Tuesday) Paris | a.m. | Visit the Saint-Ouen Municipal Solid Waste Treatment Plant - to be confirmed by the Consulate |
| p.m. | Discussion with the environmental authority or relevant organizations etc. - details to be advised by the Consulate | |
| Paris/HK | 19:25 | For Miss Alex YauDepart Paris for Hong Kong via London. Will arrive at Hong Kong Airport on 15 August (Wednesday) at 16:40 hours |
| Paris/Amsterdam | 19:50 | For othersDepart Paris for Amsterdam |
| 21:05 | Arrive Amsterdam Airport | |
| 15 August (Wednesday) Amsterdam/HK | a.m. | Meeting with the EIA Commission - to be confirmed by the Consulate |
| p.m. | Meeting with the relevant authority or organizations etc. - details to be advised by Consulate | |
| 19:00 | Depart Amsterdam for Hong Kong via London | |
| 16 August(Thursday) HK |
16:40 | Arrive Hong Kong Airport |
Notes
The flight time is tentative and subject to changes.
ACE Secretariat
June 2001
