WEDNESDAY, 15 July
ANSWER:
THE LORD SORENSEN
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the condition of Hong Kong continues to be tranquil; what further progress has been made in providing accommodation for Chinese families; whether this more than keeps pace with the increase in population; and whether further constitutional improvements are contemplated.
"yes".
THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY
OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
The answer to the first part of the question is
On the housing situation, since March 1969 accom- modation for approximately 98,100 people has been provided by Government and Government-aided agencies: and at the end of March 1970 a total of nearly 1,700,000 people (more than one-third of the total population of the Colony) were housed in accommodation provided by Government and Government-aided agencies in resettlement estates and low-cost housing estates.
The rate at which accommodation is being provided is keeping pace with the growth in the population.
As regards constitutional improvements, in the sphere of local government the functions and status of
the Urban Council are under review and the Governor's recommendations are now awaited.