HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
11
Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung District on 22nd October 1964, when 89,707 such structures were registered. It has since been the primary duty of officers in the Squatter Control Division to take appropriate action as prescribed in Section 11(1) of the Resettlement Ordinance, i.e. to remove or demolish any new squatter structures or any extensions summarily.
Since 1965, a total of 12,467 such structures have been cleared for development, leaving 77,240 still to be tackled. It is our estimate that 357,459 persons live in these structures today. The actual number can only be verified when the time comes for their turn to be screened in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Resettlement Ordinance.
I might add that, as a result of the 1964 policy review, I have been charged with the additional duties of administering Class I, II and III Licensed Areas in accordance with the provisions of Part VA of the Resettlement Ordinance. To date, there are a total of 6,356 structures in 25 Licensed Areas. The number of licensees living in these Licensed Areas to date is 34,351. I should make it clear that these licensees, by virtue of the statutory status con- ferred upon them, are not squatters in the proper sense.
In answer to part (b) of the question, may I draw Members' attention to the statement contained in paragraph 85 of the Report of the Housing Board for the year 1970, of which an advance copy has been supplied to Members of this Council for consultation in relation to the aspects which directly relates to this Council's responsibilities. In paragraph 85 of the said Report, it is stated:-
"Based on known clearances and other Resettlement categories the estimated commitment for Resettle- ment is as follows:
Category
(1) Compassionate cases and victims of
natural and other disasters
(2) Dangerous huts
(3) Rent advance scheme
:
:
Requirement over 6 years to 31st March, 1976
Individual Units of Accommodation
No. of Units
48,000
2,000
9,000