Chief Secretary Carrie Lam has refuted claims the Government has told private laboratories not to conduct lead level tests on water samples.
She was speaking to reporters today in response to a newspaper report claiming she asked legislator Helena Wong to identify the private laboratories conducting water tests, which allegedly made the lawmaker concerned the Government wanted to put pressure on the labs.
Mrs Lam said the capacity of the Government’s own laboratories is limited so it has all along encouraged and helped private laboratories to take on more testing of samples collected by organisations like political parties and property developers.
She noted the number of private laboratories capable of doing these tests has increased from eight to 10 since the lead in water case was discovered.
She said she met the lawmaker and other Democratic Party legislators in July, together with the Chief Executive, to listen to their views on livelihood and economic development matters.
Mrs Lam said she does not recall asking the question as claimed, but said if she did it would have been in a casual manner.
She said the inquiry commission appointed by the Chief Executive-in-Council has started its investigation and the Government departments involved will co-operate.
Meanwhile, the Government’s testing of water quality in public housing estates, schools and welfare facilities is continuing, she added.
