Examination of Estimates of Expenditure

Transcription

1 FHB(FE)083 (Question Serial No. 3151) Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational Expenses (2) Advisory and Investigative Services In tests performed->miscellaneous->other samples under the Indicators for 2015, it is stated that the high output in 2015 was due to the testing of samples related to Incident of Lead in Drinking Water. Please advise on the number of tests performed on other samples in relation to the incident and the expenditure involved. Asked by: Hon Albert HO Chun-yan (Member Question No. 46) The Development Bureau, underpinned by the Water Supplies Department (WSD), is responsible for ensuring the provision of a reliable, adequate and quality supply of water and maintaining an efficient water supply service. The WSD s Water Science Division is responsible for monitoring water quality throughout the drinking-water supply system. Providing technical support in testing drinking water samples and conducting on-site investigations of plumbing components are not within the regular programmes of the Government Laboratory (GL). 2. During the lead in drinking water incident (the incident), GL provided, on request, ad hoc technical support, including testing drinking water samples and conducting 420 on-site investigations of plumbing components, through internal redeployment and an additional funding of $1.2 million.

2 FHB(FE)084 (Question Serial No. 2674) (2) Advisory and Investigative Services 1. The Laboratory mentioned that it had provided technical assistance including testing of drinking water samples and on-site investigations to other government departments in the Incident of Lead in Drinking Water. In this connection, please advise on the following: a. In 2016, which departments were provided with technical assistance by the Laboratory? Please provide a breakdown by department on the number of drinking water samples tested and the expenditure involved. b. Please provide a breakdown on the locations of on-site investigations, test parameters, number of samples taken and average expenditure for each on-site investigation. c. What guidelines on the method of taking drinking water samples are followed by the Laboratory? What procedures are involved? 2. In 2015, did the Laboratory assist the Department of Health in conducting blood lead tests for the people affected by the Incident of Lead in Drinking Water? If yes, how many people were tested and what was the expenditure involved? What is the estimated number of people tested for blood lead level in 2016 and what is the estimated expenditure involved? Asked by: Dr Hon Helena WONG Pik-wan (Member Question No. 7) The Development Bureau, underpinned by the Water Supplies Department (WSD), is responsible for ensuring the provision of a reliable, adequate and quality supply of water and maintaining an efficient water supply service. The WSD s Water Science Division is responsible for monitoring water quality throughout the drinking-water supply system. Providing technical support in testing drinking water samples and conducting on-site investigations of plumbing components are not within the regular programmes of the Government Laboratory (GL).

3 2. During the lead in drinking water incident (the incident), GL provided, on request, ad hoc technical support through internal redeployment and an additional funding of $1.2 million. There was no further breakdown on the expenditures involved. 3. The information sought in respect of the tests conducted by GL during the incident is set out as follows: (a) (b) The number of drinking water samples tested for the Housing Department and WSD are 378 and respectively. On-site investigations were conducted at public housing estates and kindergartens to check whether plumbing components contained lead, which involved 420 on-site tests. (c) GL was not involved in collecting drinking water samples. It rendered assistance in testing drinking water samples taken by the relevant departments. (d) GL was not involved in blood lead level tests.

4 FHB(FE)085 (Question Serial No. 3188) (2) Advisory and Investigative Services The Government Laboratory has provided technical assistance including testing of drinking water samples and on-site investigations to other government departments in the Incident of Lead in Drinking Water. Please advise on the details of the work, and the expenditure and manpower involved in the past year and coming year. Will additional resources be allocated specially for the work concerned, such as providing water testing services for various public housing estates and government buildings? Asked by: Dr Hon LAM Tai-fai (Member Question No. 70) The Development Bureau, underpinned by the Water Supplies Department (WSD), is responsible for ensuring the provision of a reliable, adequate and quality supply of water and maintaining an efficient water supply service. The WSD s Water Science Division is responsible for monitoring water quality throughout the drinking-water supply system. Providing technical support in testing drinking water samples and conducting on-site investigations of plumbing components are not within the regular programmes of the Government Laboratory (GL). 2. During the lead in drinking water incident (the incident), GL provided, on request, ad hoc technical support through internal redeployment and an additional funding of $1.2 million. There is no resource earmarked for the testing of drinking water samples and on-site investigations of plumbing components in

5 FHB(FE)086 (Question Serial No. 2371) (1) Statutory Testing Please provide the following information: 1. the expenditure of the Food Safety Laboratory in each of the past 2 years (i.e and 2015), the current staff establishment and the estimated expenditure and manpower for 2016; 2. the number of food samples tested for regulatory compliance in each of the past 2 years (i.e and 2015) and the estimated number for 2016; and 3. with respect to the outsourcing of some of the routine food testing work to the private sector, the scope of food testing and the number of samples outsourced, the respective ratio of outsourcing, the expenditure incurred for the outsourcing of food testing, and the manpower and expenditure involved for supervising and spot-checking the outsourcing work in the past 2 years (i.e and 2015) and the estimated data for Asked by: Hon Tommy CHEUNG Yu-yan (Member Question No. 22) 1. The expenditure of the Food Safety Laboratory (FSL) under the Government Laboratory was $32 million in The revised estimate for is $33 million. The current staff establishment of FSL consists of 33 professional and technical officers. The estimated expenditure for is $34 million with no change in staff establishment. 2. The number of food tests (with the corresponding numbers of food samples in brackets) for regulatory compliance purposes conducted by the Government Laboratory in 2014 and 2015, and the estimated number for 2016 are as follows: 2014 (actual) tests ( samples) 2015 (actual) tests ( samples) 2016 (estimated) tests ( samples)

6 Note: The number of food tests already conducted comprises both tests carried out on a day-to-day basis according to a risk management approach and tests conducted pursuant to ad hoc issues such as local and international incidents relating to food safety. The estimated number of food tests to be conducted in the future reflects only the former category, as the latter category is by nature unforeseeable. 3. The scope and numbers of samples outsourced in and the estimated numbers for and as well as the respective ratios of outsourcing are provided in the table below: Financial year Number of food tests (number of samples involved) ( samples) (estimated) ( samples) Outsourced food Scope of outsourcing tests / Government Laboratory s routine food testing work 70% preservatives, sulphur dioxide, boric acid, propionic acid, nitrate and nitrite, colouring matter, trace metals, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, other food contaminants 70% - ditto (estimated) ( samples) 70% - ditto - The expenditure on outsourcing of food testing incurred in was $12 million. The revised estimate for is $12.5 million and the estimated expenditure for is $12.5 million. The Outsourcing Management Section was established in to perform outsourcing related activities including contract management and monitoring the performance of the contract laboratories. The Section consists of seven professional and technical staff with annual expenditure of $5.0 million for and estimated expenditures of $5.2 million and $5.4 million for and respectively.

7 FHB (FE)188 (Question Serial No. 2757) (1) Statutory Testing How many resources will be allocated by the Government to: 1. strengthen the analytical and advisory support to the Department of Health for the formulation and development of Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards for Chinese herbal medicines commonly used in Hong Kong; and 2. provide metrology-in-chemistry support for the development of testing and certification industry in Hong Kong? Asked by: Hon Andrew LEUNG Kwan-yuen (Member Question No. 4) 1. In order to strengthen the analytical and advisory support to the Department of Health on the development of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) for Chinese herbal medicines commonly used in Hong Kong, a special workforce involving 12 civil service posts including professional, technical and supporting staff was established in The support mainly includes developing and maintaining protocols for safety tests contained in the HKCMMS as well as verifying analytical methods developed by the participating research institutes for the testing of Chinese Materia Medica. The estimated operational expenditure for is $7.7 million. 2. From onwards, seven new civil service posts have been established to provide support to the testing and certification industry. The support includes, for example, organising proficiency testing programmes to enhance technical competence of local testing laboratories. The estimated operational expenditure for is $5.4 million.