XN000022-1995-11-28 — Page 4

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Fundamental policy applies to the NT as to the rest of HK

The Government's fundamental policy of making Hong Kong a better place in which to live and work applies as fully to the New Territories as to the rest of Hong Kong, the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, said today (Tuesday).

Speaking at the Inauguration Ceremony of the 29th Term Heung Yee Kuk, Mr Patten said: "The community of indigenous New Territories residents is a special community, one that adds a great deal to the life of Hong Kong. But it is not a separate community, it is an integral part of the whole community of Hong Kong."

Like each other group within society, the New Territories indigenous residents benefited from the projects and policies that brought benefit to the whole community, Mr Patten said.

Giving examples of how the Government is working to serve the villagers of the New Territories, Mr Patten said: "While 13 villages still remain without mains water, 678 to 98 per cent of the villages and over 99 per cent of the population of the population - have already been supplied."

He added that many of the territories' present and planned major road works were being carried out in the New Territories, including the upgrading of Tuen Mun Road, the Route 3 Country Park Section and the North Lantau Expressway.

"The Kam Tin and Lam Kam Roads, though neither substandard nor facing capacity constraints are both scheduled for upgrading works as part of general transport improvement plans, the first starting in 1998," Mr Patten continued.

"Proposals for the Western Corridor Railway Scheme, that take account of the long expressed desire of western New Territories residents, and which will be the next major development project for Hong Kong after the new airport, are moving to an advanced stage of study.

"Flood protection works for 15 villages have been completed, preparatory work for 12 more is underway and Stage I works on the Shenzhen River began in May and will be completed by 1997. New measures to deal with flooding caused by the blocking of drainage on private land are also being introduced.

"A fast track programme to build the North District Hospital is being implemented."