XN000022-1974-10-16 — Page 72

Wednesday, October 16, 1974

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these would have to be direct Government participation in the

direction of the Companies' affairs through representation on

their Boards of Directors.

The Kowloon Canton Railway:

New passenger rolling stock has been delivered to the

Kowloon-Canton Railway and double-tracking between Hung Hom

and Shatin will commence shortly. A review of the future

development of the railway has been undertaken, and I hope

that these improvements I have referred to will prove to be

only the first steps in establishing it on the one hand

as a modern suburban railway, linking urban Kowloon with the New Territories, and on the other as an improved communication

link with China for freight and passengers alike.

Roads

This year there has been a sharp increase in expenditure

on new roads and the intention is that an average of $350 m.. .

(at 1974 prices) will be spent on roads in each of the next

four financial years, compared with an average of less than

$130 m. during the three preceding years.

All these developments indicate that your Government

is putting a great deal of effort and priority into measures ·

to cope with Hong Kong's growing transport needs, and that

this effort will be continued and intensified in the years to come.

Industrial Land

Hon. Members have frequently urged the need to provide

more land for industry, and for more land-intensive industry as

well as that in high-rise buildings.

This the Government entirely

/accepts.