Mr Laird
CONFIDENTerence
29
ر24 کم
UNDERGROUND RAILWAY
€20/2
We spoke. It is now a little over six weeks since Sir L Mons on directed that, after a lapse of this period, a reminder should be sent to Hong Kong.
1.
2.
In the meantime, however, action on one aspect of the underground railway has gone ahead in that the Executive Council has advised that, subject to the provision of necessary funds by the Finance Committee of Legislative Council, the D.P.W. be authorised to take such action (ie purchase of property or part property etc) as is necessary to protect all routes in the "Full System" pending a decision on the Consultants' Further Studies Report.
3. Up to March 1971, a total of 171 cases at a cost of $5,759,438 had been or were being dealt with in this manner. To complete the nine stages of the "Preferred System" (48 stations, 32.7 miles) the estimated total cost of purchasing all property involved will be in the region of HK123,000,000 (+ a c.o.1. percentage).
4. Although it is not clear, I suspect that the "small committee" called upon to submit to EXCO on "the pros and cons of the mass transit system" referred to by Mr Rounthwaite in his letter to D.T.I. is the same as mentioned at paragraph 6 of the Memorandum supporting the EXCO decision at Flag B. If so, you will notice that the report of the latter is not likely to be ready for "some six months" (ie by the end of January 1972).
5. In the circumstances I suggest there is little if anything to be gained (and perhaps something to be lost) by reminding Hong Kong at this stage and that the most fruitful action is as indicated by Mr Royle - to bring it to the notice of Sir M MacLehose.
Ave
J A Clewley
11 August 1971
CONFIDENTIAL
DD 737719 557664 500M 2/71 GM 3643/2