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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, after briefing the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 18 District Councils on the latest developments of the review on columbarium policy this morning (December 16):
Reporter: What are the district councillors' responses in general?
Secretary for Food and Health: In general, all of the district council chairmen supported the policy of having columbarium in all districts. Of course we know that different districts are quite different in terms of limitation of space and land, but in general, they agreed that it should be the case. I am very much encouraged by their response.
Reporter: (on some district councillors' proposal that residents living in that particular district should be given priority to use the columbarium there)
Secretary for Food and Health: I have asked for such opinion in the council just now. There is a mix of opinion on whether we should give priority to local residents of the district, or we should have an equal opportunity for all citizens of Hong Kong. There is a need to encourage the local people to participate in this policy and that is the reason why we feel that there is a need to discuss whether priority should be given. Priority might be whether they have a priority of getting a space; or whether they should have other type of incentive, such as whether they will have a reduction of fees and so on. These are the things that we have to consider after we have analysed the submissions received during the consultation period which ended at the end of September this year.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, December 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:27
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