Hot seats: Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau shares a taxi with lawmaker Audrey Eu to experience conditions inside when a driver switches the engine - and air conditioning - off while waiting for a passenger.

Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau says the Legislative Council Bills Committee on the Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Bill will further discuss whether more exemptions should be granted under the proposed law.

Mr Yau today joined the committee's visit to several districts to experience the impact of idling engines on pedestrians, shopkeepers, and operation of the commercial vehicles regulated by the bill.

After the visit he said while some of the transportation industries and drivers want more exemptions and clearer law provisions for different circumstances, the medical sector and some pedestrians think there should not be endless exemptions.

Mr Yau said the bills committee should discuss some questions in depth, including whether the legislative plan should continue, whether the extent of exemptions should be expanded, and if so, whether the revised law will deviate from its original intent of imposing suitable control.

He hoped the bills committee will reach a consensus on these issues as early as possible.