XN000022-1995-02-14 — Page 15

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We agreed one question and I'm going to add to what I said. Not a follow-up. I've been asnwering questions for 40 minutes up there. If you want to get my views on social policy you should have been up there listening to my answers with great respect.

Just let me add one other thing about pensions. We are at the moment consulting all those interest groups. We're consulting Legislative Councillors, we're consulting businesses and we're consulting others about the best way forward for pensions. I'm only sorry that some of those who are now saying they're in favour of our pension scheme weren't out shouting in favour of it during the discussion period and I'm sorry that they weren't arguing for it in the Legislative Council. When it was debated in the Legislative Council there was only one speech by Jimmy McGregor which was wholly in favour of our scheme. We want, I repeat, to come forward at the end of the day with the best scheme which can get the widest degree of support. That's what we're intent on doing because we owe it to the elderly to give them not only better services but a decent level of financial provision in their old age.

Thank you very much.

End/Tuesday, February 14, 1995

Route 3 franchise award

Commenting on the proposed franchise to build and operate the Tai Lam Tunnel and Yuen Long Approach Road sections of the Route 3 Section, a Government spokesman said today (Tuesday):

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Country Park

"A common view has been reached in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group on the proposed award of the franchise to the Route 3 (CPS) Company Limited (led by Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd). The Government welcomes this agreement.

"The Tai Lam Tunnel and Yuen Long Approach Road sections of the Route 3 - Country Park Section will form an integral part of the territory's strategic road network.

"Early completion of the new road will greatly alleviate traffic congestion in Tuen Mun Road and the Container Terminal area, facilitate cross-border traffic, and enhance further development of the north-western part of the New Territories. "The next step will be to put the draft bill to the Executive Council and then to the Legislative Council for the award of the franchise. Government's aim is that the new road should open to traffic by mid-1998."

End/Tuesday, February 14, 1995