XN000022-1983-02-02 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1983

OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS CONSIDERED FOR TUEN MUN

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TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WAS DEVELOPED TO ACCOMMODATE A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM AS THE PRINCIPAL INTERNAL MODE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, BUT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE OPERATIONALLY TO USE SOME OTHER FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT SAID TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG, HE SAID HOWEVER, THAT THE STANDARDS OF SERVICE, AND THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF ANY OTHER FORM OF TRANSPORT REQUIRED FURTHER STUDY.

MR SCOTT SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO FIND A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE BASIS ON WHICH TO CONCLUDE THE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN KOWLOON WHARF AND GODOWN AND GOVERNMENT FOR THE COMPANY TO PROCEED WITH BUILDING THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.

+SEVERAL GROUPS OF COMPANIES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE PROJECT, AND CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN AS TO HOW BEST TO PROCEED, HE SAID.

+1 CANNOT YET SAY PRECISELY GOVERNMENT WILL PROCEED, BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO REASSURE MR CHEONG IN RESPECT OF ONE ASPECT OF THE SPECULATION TO WHICH HE REFERS.

+THE 1977 PLANS FOR TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT PROJECTED A RATE OF POPULATION BUILD-UP WHICH WOULD JUSTIFY THE COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATION OF THE LRT IN 1986/7.

+POPULATION BUILD-UP OVER SUCH LONG PERIODS OF TIME VERY RARELY FOLLOWS PRECISELY THE FIRST PROJECTS.

+AT LEAST TWO OF THE GROUPS TO WHICH I REFERRED EARLIER CONSIDER A CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 36 MONTHS TO BE FEASIBLE.

+WE THEREFORE HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO CONSIDER HOW BEST NOW TO PROCEED IN RESPECT OF THE LRT, MR SCOTT SAID.

PROPOSED NEW PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM SAID +MORE EQUITABLE+

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THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE PROPER CRITERIA FOR THE PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAX AND NOT TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF THIS TAX, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, MOVED BY MR BREMRIDGE THROUGH THE FIRST TWO READINGS AT THE COUNCIL JS TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT BASED ON VALUATIONS WITH A SYSTEM BASED ON ACTUAL RENTS RECEIVED.

/THE MAIN