XN000022-1974-02-08 — Page 5

Friday, February 8, 1974

PROVISIONAL M.T.R. AUTHORITY TO BE SET UP

CORDAD

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Published in the government pwette today in a bill providing

for the establishment of a loss Transit kailway Provisional Authority,

The Authority will be ret up as on interia meacure to continue

the work of the Mass Transit Steering frova, penting the creation later

this year of a statutory corporation to bring the railway into operation.

The Chairman of the Provisioned Authority will be the Fincial

Secretary, and the membership will be the rome ps for the Steering Group.

A government apokemonn, explained today that the Provisional Authority was a necessary step because it could exercise certain executive

powers not vested in the constitution of the Steering Group.

For instance, the Steering Group had no legal capacity to empley

staff and there was no other muitable acncy of the government available

for this purpone.

The responsibilities of the Provisional Authority would cover not

only appointment of staff, but also arrangements for the cupply of services

and equipment.

"Although negotiation of the contract for the construction and

equipment of the first four stages of the llans Transit Railway will be the responsibility of the Provisional Authority, it is not proposed that the Authority will enter into a contractual relationship with the selected

contractor. This will be a matter initially for the governoat and eventually

for the corporation," the spokesman added.

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