TNAG-1061-FCO40-1311-The-Kowloon-Canton-Railway-1981 — Page 81

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Explanatory Memorandum

The principal purpose of this Bill is to provide

the general manager of the Kowloon-Canton Railway with the

additional powers he requires for the operation of a through

train service between Hong Kong and The People's Republic

of China and to validate previous actions of the general

manager in this regard.

Clause 2 of this Bill seeks to enlarge the

regulation-making powers in section 29 of the Kowloon -Canton

Railway Ordinance by inserting new subsections to empower

the general manager to make regulations providing for areas

of the railway to be declared restricted areas, for the

issue of permits for access to such areas and for the

making and admissibility in court of plans delineating any

restricted areas.

Clause 3 inserts a new section 29A to give the

general manager authority to establish a through train service

to China and to settle details regarding its operation,

subject to any directions that may be given to him by the

Governor. As the through train service is of an international

nature, the general provisions of the principal Ordinance

and its subsidiary legislation are only to apply to the

extent they are not inconsistent with any agreement made

with the Chinese authorities.

Clause 4 of the Bill seeks to validate previous

actions of the general manager in concluding arrangements

for a through train service to China.

There are no financial or staffing implications

arising from this Bill.