XN000022-1978-05-24 — Page 25

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1978

NUMBER OF REGISTERED "CTORCYCLES

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THERE WERE 16,464 MOTORCYCLES REGISTERED AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR AN INCREASE OF NINE PER CENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SAID TODAY.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ROGER LOBO AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MR. JONES ALSO SAID, IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION BY MR. LOBO, THERE IS NO UP-TO-DATE RECORD OF THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS FOR HIRING MOTORCYCLES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED.

+HOWEVER, WHEN THE POLICE CHECKED OUT THEIR INSURANCE COVER LAST YEAR, THERE WERE FOUND TO BE 12 ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING IN KOWLOON, HE SAID.

GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE TO MTRC LOAN

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY ADOPTED A MOTION WHICH SEEKS AUTHORITY FOR A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE TO ENABLE THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO BORROW HK$204 MILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF 70 RAILCARS.

IN MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON SAID: +AS THE LOAN WHICH COVERS 85 PER CENT OF THE CONTRACT PRICE IS DENOMINATED IN HK DOLLARS, THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF THE GUARANTEE WILL BE ENTIRELY FREE FROM EXCHANGE RISKS.+

THE LOAN WITH INTEREST RATE FIXED AT 7-3/4 PER CENT PER ANNUM WILL BE REPAYABLE OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS FROM MAY 1981.

THE LOAN GUARANTEE WILL BRING THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL AMOUNT OF GUARANTEE TO HK$6,890 MILLION.

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