XN000022-1974-02-13 — Page 6

-

5-

Wednesday, February 13, 1974

RECRUTIMENT OF UNDERGROUND RAILWAY STAFF UNDERWAY

*

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