XN000022-1985-02-07 — Page 3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1985

*WE MUST NOW GIVE CONSIDERATION TO WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS WILL BE. THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, TO CONSIDER A FULL REPORT OF THE CONSULTATIONS AND POSSIBLE FURTHER ACTION TO BE TAKEN, MR MACLEOD SAID.

THE WEEK COMMENCING MARCH 11 HAS BEEN SET AS A PROVISIONAL DATE FOR RESUMING THE TALKS. MR MACLEOD SAID HE DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SEEKING FURTHER TALKS WITH THE U.S. THIS MONTH.

THE OFFICIAL DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) EVENING. MR STEPHEN CHEONG AND MR KENNETH FANG, WHO ACCOMPANIED THE DELEGATION AS INDUSTRIAL ADVISERS, WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG OVER THE WEEKEND.

GREEN LIGHT FOR CAR PARK PLAN TALKS

*****

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO A PROPOSAL FROM A FRENCH CONSORTIUM TO BUILD AN UNDERGROUND PUBLIC CAR PARK BENEATH SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI, AND HAD GIVEN APPROVAL FOR DETAILED NEGOTIATIONS TO BE HELD WITH THE CONSORTIUM ON THE BASIS OF A PRIVATE TREATY GRANT.

THE CONSORTIUM, WHICH HAS CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING AND OPERATING UNDERGROUND CAR PARKS IN FRANCE, PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A 7-STOREY STRUCTURE THE LOWER FIVE FLOORS WOULD BE USED FOR CAR PARKING AND PROVIDE A TOTAL OF ABOUT 1 000 SPACES WHILE THE UPPER TWO FLOORS WOULD CONTAIN COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. THE ENTRANCE TO AND EXIT FROM THE CAR PARK WOULD BE ARRANGED TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE LOCAL TRAFFIC FLOW.

THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST OVER $200 MILLION AND THIS WOULD BE MET ENTIRELY BY THE CONSORTIUM.

THE BUILDING OF THE CAR PARK WOULD GIVE RISE TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DISRUPTION DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AND NECESSITATE THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE PLAYGROUND,

HOWEVER, THE CONSORTIUM HAS ADVISED THAT THE SURFACE OF THE PLAYGROUND WOULD BE RETURNED WITHIN 15 MONTHS AND HAS INDICATED ITS WILLINGNESS TO CARRY OUT CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PLAYGROUND AT ITS OWN EXPENSE.

/THE URSAN