XN000022-1996-07-04 — Page 10

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Mrs Selina Chow: Governor, if we can now make the decision on the second for it to be completed by the end of 1998. Why can't the decision on the west rail be runway made in the same way and would the Governor do anything or everything he can to expedite this very important and urgent decision in the same way that he has resolved the question on the second runway?

Governor: Well, can I just say once again that I am delighted now that the questions are all about pressing us to complete the Western Corridor as rapidly as possible rather than questions focusing on some of the intestines of consultants' reports. I think that's a very helpful development in the debate. In the case of the second runway, we were dealing with a proposal that came to us from the Airport Authority, a proposal which clearly added to the economic and transport viability of the project which is nearing completion. It's a project which doesn't need any resumption of land and in relation to the rest of the project, it is, well, not cheap, but it's not as expansive as something like the Western Corridor Railway. In the case of the Western Corridor Railway, we are talking about the need to deal about 400 hectares of land. We are dealing with a project which at present prices is likely to cost 75 billion and we are dealing with a lot of queries not least reasonable ones from some honourable members about whether this or that alignment is right, about whether this or that particular proposal for the railway is the right one. So it is a rather more complicated business but I assure the honourable lady that we will try to complete the whole business of coming to a decision as rapidly as we can and then get on with the project as rapidly as we can and I hope we can complete it in Hong Kong time.

Selina Chow: I entirely take the Governor's point. But the gist of my question lies with the point as to why we should be taking into consideration the appointment of the Chief Executive Designate. Why can't we just press ahead and do whatever is necessary to expedite that decision whenever that Chief Executive Designate is appointed...

Governor: I can assure the honourable lady that if we can come to the decision next week or the week after that or within a couple of months we in Government would want to make that decision. We would of course in those circumstances want to go to the Chinese officials in the Preparatory Committee and say that we intended that, we wanted to go ahead in that way. I was merely seeking to be realistic and I am sure the honourable lady would be very shocked if we are in a position after the appointment of a Chief Executive Designate has been announced if we are in a position to make the decision and we didn't consult the Chief Executive Designate about it. We are now trying to shovel off our responsibilities. We are merely trying to ensure that the Government of Hong Kong and the development of some of the biggest infrastructure projects in Hong Kong represents a seamless transition as far as possible.

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