asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stage has been reached in the consideration of a mass transit system for Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement upon proposals for financing this project.

International tenders have been invited for an initial system of 9·9 miles. A final decision will be taken in September and will depend on the Hong Kong Government's view of the project's commercial viability. The Hong Kong Government would contribute HK$800 million, the rest being financed by export credits and on the open market.