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"You get better government if people think that they're going to be asked tough questions about the decisions they take. You get in an open community like ours where there is open trade, inevitably you get the open exchange of ideas."

"But I have to say that the main determinant in whether Hong Kong continues to have as free a press in the future as it does today will be how much the community shows it cares about that issue," he added.

End/Thursday, January 12, 1995

Funds sought for PAA to proceed with airport works

The Government plans to seek approval from the Finance Committee for an additional advance of $5,202 million (in money of the day) for the Provisional Airport Authority (PAA) for the construction of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.

This additional funding will enable the PAA to enter into financial commitments for further works on the passenger terminal and other airfield infrastructure, a Government spokesman said today (Thursday).

"Of the proposed $5,202 million additional advance, $2,820 million will be for various facilities in the passenger terminal. These include lifts, escalators, walkways, aircraft servicing systems (including loading bridges), passenger and baggage security

security screening systems, signage and communications systems (including flight information and public address).

"The remaining $2,382 million will be required for carrying out civil engineering works for aprons and associated utilities, airfield ground lighting, apron lighting and seawater pumping equipment," he said.

Discussion papers outlining details of the proposed funding were issued today to members of the Legislative Council Panel on Planning, Lands and Works and the Airport Consultative Committee.