Session No. 5 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2010-11
Question : In the Brief Description, it is mentioned “launching new weather stations in Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong Districts under the ‘One District One Station’”. Given that only temperature data is available in some stations but not other weather information such as air pressure and humidity, leaving the public in these districts without a complete picture of the weather situation, would the Administration advise if it would consider installing additional weather instruments at these stations as well so as to provide the related weather information; if not, what are the reasons? Asked by : Hon. FUNG Kin-kee, Frederick Reply : The Hong Kong Observatory has set up over 20 automatic weather stations to monitor the weather conditions all over Hong Kong to provide territory-wide weather forecasts and warnings. These stations also provide weather information specific to some districts, including temperature, wind speed, rainfall, relative humidity and air pressure. To provide better service that meets in particular popular demands for more comprehensive temperature information that is district-based, the Observatory launched the “One District One Station” programme in 2007 to install new weather stations at the remaining districts to measure district temperature. This enables us to provide temperature information for each and every district in Hong Kong. The Observatory will consider whether to install other weather monitoring instruments in the stations under the “One District One Station” programme in the light of public needs and other relevant considerations.
Question : Regarding “carrying out real-time exchange of data with meteorological centres in the world” mentioned in the Brief Description, would the Administration inform this Committee of whether the provision of data by other meteorological centres to Hong Kong Observatory involves additional expenditure? If yes, what were the respective expenditures in the last three years (i.e. 2007-08 to 2009-10)? Does the practice of data exchange involve any mutual agreement (such as restrictions on public dissemination or data use)? If yes, what are the brief contents of such agreement? Asked by : Hon. FUNG Kin-kee, Frederick Reply : Under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization, the Hong Kong Observatory has been exchanging real-time data with meteorological centres across the world since the 1950s. As the ultimate objective of the data exchanges is to protect lives and property, the exchanges are done free of charge and without any restriction on the use and dissemination of data. Hence, no mutual agreement is involved. Nor does the practice entail additional expenditure on the part of the Observatory.
Directory: citb -> doc doc -> Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc Download 4.7 Mb. Share with your friends:
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