Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, after attending a radio programme today (April 7):

Reporter: Professor Chan, any estimation on how long it would take for the (Private Columbaria Licensing) Board to process all these applications? And in case some of the applications aren't approved, would the Government help the families to deal with the ashes?

Secretary for Food and Health: The Board is working very hard on looking at all the applications. So far, we have received a total of 144 applications. For those who have not applied, that means they will be illegal after the enactment of the legislation. These operators have already started to ask the family members to take back all the ashes. For those affected family members, they can use the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)'s temporary places for storage of these ashes. Previously, we heard a lot of comments about the limitation of these storage places. Now the FEHD has tried to improve the situation, so that family members can use nearby facilities to pay respect to their ancestors. We also promote green burial, so another way of dealing with the ashes is to put it to the Garden of Remembrance, or put the ashes to sea. The FEHD has already had all these facilities for green burial. This is another choice that they can choose. 

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

Ends/Saturday, April 7, 2018
Issued at HKT 10:54

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