XN000022-1996-12-11 — Page 55

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Provision of public transport facilities of the new airport

Following is a question by the Hon Howard Young and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Gordon Siu, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council whether it has drawn up plans regarding the provision of public transport facilities during the period between the opening of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok in April 1998 and the commissioning of the Airport Railway in June 1998?

Reply

Mr President,

The consultants for the Transport Study for the New Airport have put forward a number of proposals regarding the provision of public transport facilities if the new airport were opened in advance of the commissioning of the Airport Railway. However, the Mass Transit Railway Corporation has a good track record of completing projects ahead of schedule and within budget. It is liaising with the Airport Authority with a view to, if necessary, accelerating the works of the Airport Railway to match the opening of the new airport. We will closely monitor progress on the Airport Railway project and acceleration measures and will continue to keep the need for contingency public transport plans under review.

End

Hospital Authority Head Office staff

Following is a question by the Hon Mr Michael Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The Hospital Authority (HA)'s plan to reduce the number of staff in various ranks in the HA Head Office has been implemented for several years. Is the Government aware of: