In making these recommendations the Board emphasized that it was mindful of the difficulties which might be encountered in the provision of resources to carry out the work, in competition with other desirable large scale development projects.
58.
Members recommended further that until the replacement airport became available, all necessary development work at Kai Tak airport should continue to be carried out to ensure the airport's most efficient utilization, and to avoid economic penalties to the airlines and other tenants. The development should seek to ensure that airlines do not curtail their services to Hong Kong to the extent that there might be a lengthy delay before traffic was re-attracted to Hong Kong's international airport.
PROPOSED CO-ORDINATION OF WORK FROM 1980 to 1982
59.
To ensure that there is spoudy and thorough co-ordination of the work of the various consultancies and close liaison with departmental staff, it is proposed that a co-ordinating committee chaired by the Director of Civil Aviation will be set up.
PUBLIC RELATIONS ASPECTS
Public reaction
60.
The proposals to construct a replacement airport at Chek Lap Kok have been made public and feedback has generally been favourable. The proposals in respect of the next stage the detailed planning study expected to be favourably received, though there may be minority objections from some local residents of Lantau and from conservationists.
Publicity
61.
-
are
Suitable publicity will be arranged by the Director of Information Services in the normal way.
ADVICE SOUGHT
62.
(a)
Honourable Members will be asked:
to advise whether the studies, investigations and planning referred to in paragraph 53 above should be undertaken forthwith, subject to the provision of the approximately $150 million in necessary funds by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council; and
CONFIDENTIAL