HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL · 2nd October 1969.
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implementation of all road schemes, not only those in the 5-year Programme, but also those recommended in the 20-year Long Term Road Study as and when they are accepted. With the progress now being made on the Island Water Front Road, our attention should be focussed on its counter-part in the Mainland to link southern Kowloon, through the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, with the New Lai Chi Kok Bridge to relieve congestion in Nathan Road. While on the subject of traffic congestion, I would urge Government to take early action to remove the Railway Terminus to its new site in order to free space that is urgently needed to improve the Ferry Concourse at Tsim Sha Tsui. This will also make possible the early realization of the Indoor Stadium and other traffic and transport provisions which have been proposed to be built over the Railway.
May I now turn to the many major public works projects that are being planned or investigated and their relative priorities. Housing and water supplies have been our biggest spenders for years; and while we still have a formidable commitment in the housing pro- gramme, we can relax for some time in spending on water supplies. Other claims on our resources such as the Airport Runway Extension and the Container Terminal at Kwai Chung are of lesser magnitude but wider commercial interest. I am surprised that so much heat has been generated over the issue of the Runway and that we should have gone to Whitehall cap in hand; our surplus last year alone could take care of it comfortably if its merits could be proved to the Executive and this Council. There is also the possibility of contractor financing to be entertained if more equitable distribution of revenue expenditure is considered desirable in this case. The Container Terminal, like the Cross Harbour Tunnel, would be a suitable project for private enter- prise to show its confidence in Hong Kong's future. Surely its estimated ultimate cost of $243 M is not beyond the combined resources of our shipping and export interests. The raising of the Plover Cove Dam at a cost of $45 M over 3 years should be of little financial consequence, while the heavy expenditure on the proposed High Island Reservoir, if approved by this Council, will not occur for some years. Road development and housing should, therefore, have first claims on our revenue for the next few years; meantime efforts to explore all avenues of financing a modified mass transit scheme should be pursued. Now that the consultants are back to further investigate on the scheme, can we assume that such further time and further expenses will justifiably lead us to a positive decision?
Sir, you mentioned that sites are being acquired for urban renewal in the pilot scheme area on the Island. We have also learned of vacant sites being acquired in other areas of the Western District to provide for open space and community buildings which the district badly needs. These are steps in the right direction though necessarily
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