XN000022-1976-06-25 — Page 5

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1976

MR. BARNES SAID THE AIM WAS TO BRING THE SCHEME INTO OPERATION BEFORE MAJOR WORKS BEGIN AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SCHEME WERE NOW BEING FINALISED.

THE ADVANCE COMPENSATION SCHEME WILL BE OPERATED BY THE MASS TRANSIT OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHICH WILL BE ASSISTED BY AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

FURTHER DETAILS OF HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY FOR ADVANCES WOULD BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

MR. BARNES EMPHASISED THAT THE SCHEME IN NO WAY AFFECTED THE STATUTORY RIGHT OF BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE CLAIMS UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE. INDEED IT WAS INTENDED TO SEEK AS A CONDITION OF THE PAYMENT OF AN ADVANCE THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD SIGN AN UNDERTAKING TO MAKE A STATUTORY CLAIM IN DUE COURSE AND TO AGREE THAT ANY ADVANCES MADE WOULD BE DEDUCTIBLE FROM THE FINAL SUM AGREED WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR AWARDED BY THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.

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