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7. The omnibus companies opposed on ground of expense. The Kowloon Motor Bus Company in particular has 80 buses on order and expects a partial shipment in October, 1946. They are Tilling Stevens (British) right hand steering. This firm cannot now supply left hand steering but have been communicated with by the Committee and estimate that left hand steering will be available in 1948. Mr. Kwok Chan emphasizes that he does not consider that increased commercial capital expenditure would be desirable now while the financial stress of the recent emergencies are still heavily felt.
8. The reconstruction of the omnibus terminus at the Star Ferry (Kowloon) would be necessary.
9. The Chairman as Commissioner of Police sees no objection in waiving during the interim and change-over period and for a period thereafter the present traffic regula- tions that public service vehicles must have right hand steering.
that:
10. Mr. C. B. Robertson (as Assistant Director of Public Works) is of the opinion
(a) the numbers of vehicles coming from outside will not warrant any change
and
(b) danger will be involved in the change-over and
(c) admission of more vehicles from China will hasten the advent of "satura-
tion point" in vehicles in Hong Kong.
He is in agreement that a restriction on the number of vehicles entering meets his last point and the Committee consider that administrative arrangements envisage a mutual limitation of traffic at the border.
11. The majority of the Committee referred to above consider that sufficient grounds. for the change are shown in paragraphs 3 and 4 and that objections other than long term capital expenditure will be met by adequate length of notice. The 1st July, 1948 has been arrived at as a compromise between 2 years, and 6 months, the maximum and minimum discussed, as allowing time for the restoration of the motor industry to its normal elasticity of production, and as providing a reasonably sufficient time for the heavy work of con- version of tramears and omnibuses.
(Sd.) C. H. SANSOM
Hon. Commissioner of Police.
(Sd.) C. B. ROBERTSON.
(Sd.) Kwok CHAN.
(Sd.) R. Y. FROST.
(Sd.) L. C. F. BELLAMY.
(Sd.) E. H. SAINSBURY
(and acting as Secretary).