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Wednesday, February 13, 1974
RECRUTIMENT OF UNDERGROUND RAILWAY STAFF UNDERWAY
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Steps are being taken to engage senior staff for the Hass
Transit Railway while negotiations with the Japanese consortium leading
up to the signing of a contract for the construction of the underground
railway proceed.
This is to ensure that there will be no delay if terms are agreed,
the Attorney General, the Hon. John Hobley, said today when moving the
second reading of the Mass Transit Railway Provisional Authority Bill.
The bill provides, as an interim measure, for the establishment
of a Provisional Authority consisting of the Financial Secretary and other
members appointed by the Governor.
"The members of the Provisional Authority will be incorporated
so that, in particular, the Authority may enter into contracts," Mr. Hobley
said.
He explained that the Steering Group, which has been handling
the negotiations, was not empowered to enter into contracts of employment
or other legal arrangements before the Mass Transit Railway Corporation
was established. The future Corporation will eventually own and operate the
railway.
limited.
Mr. Hobley said the powers of the Provisional Authority would be
Its resources will consist of the monies in the Mass Transit Fund,
finance which it may raise through bank borrowing and credits on the supply
of materials purchased abroad.
"It is