48
Reply:
(b)
Mr President,
1998.
when the construction of the second runway of the new airport is expected to be completed and when the second runway will come into operation?
The new airport project is on schedule to meet the target opening date of April
We have reached agreement with the Chinese side of the Airport Committee of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group on award of the three most urgent franchises for air cargo, aircraft catering and aviation fuel supply services. Discussions in the Airport Committee on two other franchises for aircraft base and line maintenance and aircraft ramp handling services are underway. Meanwhile construction works are progressing on schedule to allow full commissioning, testing and trials before airport opening in April 1998. At the end of 1995, the new airport was 47% completed while the overall Airport Core Programme was 48% completed.
The timing for construction of the second runway and, for bringing it into operation is being examined by the Administration in consultation with the Airport Authority. We will take into account factors such as the latest forecasts on air traffic demand, capacity utilisation of the first runway and the financial and economical implications involved. No conclusions have yet been reached.
End
FSD's emergency ambulance service
Following is a question by the Hon Wong Wai-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
The shortage of resources in the Fire Services Department's emergency ambulance service is becoming increasingly serious, particularly so in the New Territories. Will the Government inform this Council: