Transcript of remarks by STH

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, at a media session at the lobby of the West Wing of the Central Government Offices this afternoon (July 18):
 
Reporter: Why do the MTR and the Government think that there is no need to demolish any parts of the flawed Hung Hom Station and rather the MTR decided to just use strengthening works to amend the flaws? Secondly, can you explain why the Government decides to open sooner than planned the mentioned parts of the section of Shatin to Central Link? Why not include other remaining stations?
 
Secretary for Transport and Housing: I must emphasise here that the acceptance of the reports by the Government is a very serious matter because the reports would have been agreed by our expert team who has tens of years of experience in structural and building works. Having scrutinised reports submitted by the MTRCL, the expert team had come to a conclusion that the facts, observation and judgement within the reports are actually valid, and there are scientific and factual justifications for that, so that's the reason why we accepted the reports in the first place. The second place is why we consider not necessary to demolish it rather than reinforce it, right? As I have just mentioned, the reports were compiled by the MTRCL with their independent professionals, their own professional staff, and also scrutinised by the Government expert team and also our Highways Department colleagues, therefore, the vetting and scrutinisation has been done very rigorously. If there is any need for anything to be done, it won't be left out in anyway. Therefore we are satisfied that by completion of these appropriate measures, we would be in a position to satisfy the necessary code of practice of the Buildings Department, as well as the contract requirements of the Shatin to Central Link project.
 
 (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)