CLEAN AIR BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

7.10 p.m.

The Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office (Tuan Haji Ya'acob Bin Mohamed): (In Malay): Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

In the last decade, the rapid industrialisation in Singapore has brought economic growth, employment and affluence. It has, however, together with urbanisation and population growth also brought problems of pollution of various kinds, of solid waste disposal, of human settlement, of traffic congestion and so on which can be detrimental to our environment. Our Government is determined that these problems are contained and that the economic development, urbanisation and population growth will not create an environment which is not conducive to healthy living. To do this, the Government has introduced a series of legislation to prevent and control pollution of various kinds. It must be remembered that we occupy 225 square miles of densely built-up populated areas with no rural hinterland to go to. We rank the highest in population density in the world. It is, therefore, vital not only in the short run but also in the long run that we should waste no efforts in conserving our environment.

Since the Government started to monitor the air last year, it is found that the level of air pollution has shown trends of increase. In some parts of the island the level has already reached ambient air quality standards set up in other countries. Besides the general increase in ambient air pollution, there have been many instances of local air pollution problems caused by industrial and trade operations. This affects the comfort and well-being of the people living next to these sources of air pollution. The negligent and irresponsible attitude taken by the occupiers of these premises has often been the cause of the air pollution. This can be controlled.

The Clean Air Bill, 1971 is yet another in the series of legislation to ensure that our environment is healthy and pleasant to live in. The Bill seeks to prevent and control air pollution. It must be remembered that air is one of the essential commodities for the sustenance of life. We can live without food for many days and we can live without water for a few days, but we can live without air for only a few minutes. It is thus of the utmost importance that the air we breathe is clean and not polluted with impurities.

Air pollution is the presence in the air of concentrations of particulate matters, fumes, smoke, and many other chemicals at levels that are aesthetically displeasing or physically harmful to man and his environment. It is principally a problem in the highly urbanised industrial cities. The causes of air pollution are many. One of the main causes is the incomplete burning of fuels, such as oil and wood wastes, in boilers, furnaces and incinerators. It is also caused by combustion processes in motor cars, aeroplanes and so on. Chemical processing, food processing and other industrial premises like steel works, cement works, cement factories and so on can emit pollutants of various kinds and in various quantities.

Most of us have read or heard about smog in London, New York, Tokyo and other highly industrialised urban centres in the world and the aftermath of such occurrences. The ill effects of air pollution on human beings are numerous, and to name a few, they are impairment of general health, irritation of the eyes and throat, and chronic bronchitis, especially in elderly people. It has also been claimed to cause respiratory diseases. Air pollution also reduces visibility, spoils the view, and denies the enjoyment of the delights and beauty of nature. It can also cause economic loss through high maintenance costs and loss in man-hours, and can also contribute to the physical deterioration of the cities. It has also been claimed to affect vegetation and cause damages to crops and livestock.

We are still at an early stage of industrialisation compared to industrialised cities in the developed countries. If we are to learn from the experiences of these cities, we must make a start now to control and prevent air pollution. Industrialists, factory owners, and the public must accept the collective social responsibility to keep our air clean. Negligence now may lead to such deterioration later that remedies become extremely expensive to introduce. Legislation is required to prevent this negligence.

Sir, to begin with, industrial and trade concerns should so conduct their operations that they should not cause air pollution. Existing industrial and trade premises may find some difficulties in installing preventive and control measures and may, therefore, be given adequate time to do this. This is only fair as when such premises were established there was no legislation to insist on control measures. Their profit may be cut slightly, but this is a social responsibility they must accept. We are at a stage of economic development when we can be more selective in the types of industries we want to have. Dirty industries may add to the social cost of pollution more than the economic benefits they can bring. These types of industries will be rejected unless they are prepared to install expensive control measures.

Sir, the Clean Air Bill, 1971, seeks to make provision for the prevention and reduction of air pollution arising from industrial or trade premises and such other premises as the Minister may specify. The term "industrial or trade premises" has been defined to mean premises used for any industrial or trade purposes or premises on which matter is burnt in connection with any industrial or trade process, and includes the category of scheduled premises. "Scheduled premises" are premises which have been specified in the Schedule to the Bill. Premises of this category, because of their type of industrial or trade activities, are considered to have a high potential of air pollution, and include such premises as ceramic works, chemical works, metal works and petroleum works.

Sir, I will highlight some of the more important features of this Bill. The administration of the Clean Air Act will he vested in an officer to be styled the Director of Air Pollution Control who will be assisted by other authorised officers.

The provisions of Part II of the Bill will apply to the category called "scheduled premises". Clause 4 provides that no person shall, without the written permission of the Director of Air Pollution Control, occupy or use any premises as scheduled premises. In considering such application, the Director may grant permission and also specify certain conditions.

Clause 5 further elaborates on the requirements and conditions that may be imposed by the Director when granting such permission. Scheduled premises in existence, prior to the coming into operation of the Act, are exempted from having to apply for such permission although they still may be required by the Director to take measures to control or reduce emissions of air pollutants.

Clause 6 prohibits the occupier of any scheduled premises from doing certain alterations or changes in the premises or trade or industrial process without obtaining the permission of the Director.

The provisions of Part III of the Bill will apply to industrial and trade premises generally including scheduled premises. Clause 8 imposes the responsibility on occupiers of any industrial or trade premises to maintain any fuel-burning equipment or any control equipment installed in or on the premises in an efficient condition and to operate the same in a proper and efficient manner.

Clause 9 prohibits industrial and trade premises from emitting dark smoke from the chimney subject to certain exceptions to be prescribed by the rules.

Clause 10 prohibits the occupier of any industrial or trade premises from conducting any trade or industrial process or operate any fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant in such a manner as to emit air impurities in excess of the prescribed standards. The occupier is to use the best practical means necessary to prevent or minimise air pollution.

Clause 11 empowers the Director to require the occupier of any such premises to take preventive or control measures in respect of air pollution.

Clause 12 empowers the Minister to extend the provisions of this part of the Bill to such other class or description of premises as he may specify by order in the Gazette.

Part IV of the Bill deals with various provisions; they are, inter alia, powers of enforcement of the Director and other authorised officers, disclosure of information, furnishing of information, powers of entry, service of notices and penalties for offences.

Clause 15 empowers the Minister to prohibit the use of such combustible materials or fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant as may be specified by the Minister by an Order in the Gazette.

Clause 16 empowers the Minister to direct the occupier of any industrial or trade premises from conducting any trade or industrial process or operating any fuel-burning equipment or industrial plant where the emission of air impurities from such premises is or is likely to be injurious to public health.

Clause 17 contains provisions for any aggrieved party to appeal to the Minister against any decision of the Director.

Clause 21 would empower the Minister in his discretion to exempt the occupier of any trade or industrial premises from all or any of the provisions of the Act.

Finally, clause 25 empowers the Minister to make rules for prescribing certain matters that are necessary for the administration of this Act and, in particular, the prescribing of standards, tests and types of control equipment.

Members will note that this Bill does, not deal with air pollution caused by the exhausts from motor vehicles. This aspect is already being dealt with in other Ordinances and is best left out of the scope of this Bill. Air pollution caused by ships in the harbour is also dealt with in another Ordinance.

The control of air pollution is a multi-disciplined effort, and in the implementation of the Act, I would like to assure you that a balanced approach will prevail, taking into consideration not only the wider interests of the community but also the narrower interests and needs of other sectors. Our goal is an environment that will be conducive to healthy living. Failure to control air pollution now would allow the problem to grow out of proportion and we certainly would not want this to happen here, as is happening in many cities in developed countries.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Tuan Haji Ya'acob].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr N. Govindasamy in the Chair]

7.28 p.m.

Clauses 1 to 22 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 23 -

Amendment made: In page 9, line 36, after "liable", to insert "on conviction". - [Tuan Haji Ya'acob].

Clause 23, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 24 and 25 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Schedule ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported with an amendment; read a Third time and passed.