XN000022-1981-04-08 — Page 11

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1981

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NEW POWERS FOR KCR GENERAL MANAGER

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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY WITH THE ADDITIONAL POWERS REQUIRED FOR THE OPERATION OF A THROUGH PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1981, IF PASSED, WILL ALSO VALIDATE PREVIOUS ACTIONS OF THE GENERAL MANAGER IN THIS RESPECT.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THAT THE BILL WOULD GIVE THE KCR GENERAL MANAGER THE AUTHORITY TO SETTLE DETAILS REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE THROUGH TRAIN SERVICE, SUBJECT TO ANY DIRECTIONS BY THE GOVERNOR,

THE GENERAL MANAGER WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR AREAS OF THE RAILWAY TO BE DECLARED RESTRICTED AREAS, FOR THE ISSUE OF PERMITS FOR ACCESS TO SUCH AREAS, AND FOR THE MAKING AND ADMISSIBILITY IN COURT OF PLANS DELINEATING THEM.

-THESE PROVISIONS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE MADE FOR THE AIRPORT, AND ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO CONTROL ACCESS TO THOSE PARTS OF THE RAILWAY WHICH ARE USED FOR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION PURPOSES,+ HE ADDED.

THROUGH PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES TO AND FROM CANTON RESUMED IN APRIL 1979 BY AGREEMENT WITH THE GUANGZHOU RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION AND A SECOND DAILY SERVICE HAS BEEN OPERATED SINCE FEBRUARY 1980.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

LIMIT ON NUMBER OF PLB'S TO REMAIN

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 10, 1982 THE PERIOD FOR WHICH THERE REMAINS A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE LICENSED AS PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.

IN MOVING THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 220), THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THE HON DEREK JONES SAID THE TOTAL PERMISSIBLE NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES TO REMAIN AT 4 350 WAS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 8 LAST YEAR.

MR JONES SAID UNDER A SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE THE LIMIT REMAINED IN FORCE UNTIL APRIL 10, 1981 WHEN IT COULD BE EXTENDED BY THE COUNCIL BY RESOLUTION.

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