XN000022-1984-05-16 — Page 20

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 1984

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ISLAND LINE ON SCHEDULE

WHEN THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY ISLAND LINE OPENS IN JULY, 1985, IT WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RELIEF TO THE CORRIDOR ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE SAID TODAY.

TABLING THE MTR CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 1983 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR JOHN SAID THE NEW LINE WOULD BE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE AND. WITHIN THE BUDGETED FIGURE OF JUST UNDER $11 BILLION.

HE SAID THE MTRC LAST YEAR CARRIED 412 MILLION PEOPLE ON ITS TWO LINES, 17 PER CENT OVER THE 1982 FIGURE.

TOTAL FARE AND OTHER RECURRENT REVENUES ROSE BY 26 PER CENT TO $1 035 MILLION WITH OPERATING PROF ITS INCREASING TO $253 MILLION, A 41 PER CENT IMPROVEMENT ON 1982, HE ADDED.

HOWEVER, THE MTRC STILL SUFFERED ON OVERALL LOSS OF $535 MILLION DUE TO THE NEED TO SERVICE THE CORPORATION'S DEBTS OF $14 BILLION.

BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL EXPLAINED

***

THE PURPOSE OF THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1984 IS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS, REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF REFUSE STORAGE CHAMBERS IN BUILDINGS AND SETTING OUT DESIGN CRITERIA FOR SUCH CHAMBERS.

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON HENRY CHING, SAID THIS WHILE MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

+ IT IS INTENDED THAT THE REGULATIONS WILL MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR ALL NEW BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS EXCEEDING A CERTAIN SIZE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, CARPARKS AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, TO HAVE PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED REFUSE STORAGE CHAMBERS, HE TOLD THE COUNCIL.

THESE CHAMBERS WILL BE FOR THE TEMPORARY STORAGE OF REFUSE BEFORE ITS REMOVAL TO THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS. +FOR VERY LARGE BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS, THE PROVISION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED, SO THAT REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES MAY GAIN ACCESS AND PROVIDE A DIRECT COLLECTION SERVICE, + MR CHING SAID.

THERE IS

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