XN000022-1982-07-28 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 1982

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GUARANTEE FOR MTR LOAN

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO COVER THE PAYMENT OF A $1 060 MILLION LOAN.

THE SUM BORROWED UNDER THIS GUARANTEE WILL BE USED TO FINANCE THE ISLAND LINE CONTRACTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHAI WAN DEPOT, THE CHAI WAN OVERHEAD STATION, THE PAK CHAI WAN STATION AND THE CAUSEWAY BAY WEST CONCOURSE: THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALLATION OF THE SIGNALLING SYSTEM, THE ESCALATORS AND THE AUTOMATIC FARE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT; AND THE MAIN SITE FORMATION WORKS AT KORNHILL.

THIS BRINGS THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL GUARANTEE COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF THE OUTSTANDING LOANS AVAILABLE TO THE MTR CORPORATION TO $9 673 MILLION.

POWER TO REMOVE VESSELS FROM PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS

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THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO A PROPOSED AMENDMENT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE BE GIVEN POWER ALSO TO REMOVE ANY VESSEL WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN BERTHED FOR AN UNDUE PERIOD OF TIME IN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, DR THE HON FRANCIS TIEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PORT CONTROL (CARGO WORKING AREAS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, MR TIEN EXPLAINED THAT THE SUGGESTION FOLLOWED VISITS BY THE UNOFFICIALS' ECONOMIC SERVICES GROUP TO TWO CARGO WORKING AREAS TO STUDY PROBLEMS THERE.

+ AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO THE SUGGESTION, MR TIEN SAID.

THE LEGISLATION AIMS AT FACILITATING CONTROL OVER CARGO HANDLING OPERATIONS AT PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS.

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, THANKED DR TIEN AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES GROUP FOR THEIR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL AND FOR CARRYING OUT THE ON-SITE INSPECTIONS OF THE PROBLEMS AT THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS.

APPROPRIATE CHANGES TO THE REGULATIONS WOULD BE PROPOSED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, HE SAID.

THE BILL WAS APPROVED, WITH AMENDMENTS.

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