新界民政署
九龍公主道一零一號
香港房屋委員會總辦事處大厦 五樓及六樓
本署檔號 OUR REF.
(52) in NT: 5.5204:C II
來函檔號 YOUR REF.
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Dear Sirs,
NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, 4/F & 5/F, HK HOUSING AUTHORITY HQ. BUILDING, 101, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD,
KOWLOON.
7th September, 1977
I am directed by the Chief Secretary to reply
on his behalf to your letter of 31st August, 1977.
I note you agree that there should be
discussion on various matters affecting the New Territories. It has, of course, been the practice in the New Territories for very many years to consult local leaders concerning Government's programmes and policies. As a direct result many changes and improvements have been made, particularly in the last few years, to services provided in the liew Territories, modification to a number of policies has also resulted from such consultation. Clearly it is most desirable that this should continue.
Because there has been such discussion I find it difficult to believe that the people were unaware of laws that have been made and had no opportunity to voice their opinion.
You say that there are deficiencies in the provision of facilities in existing older towns and villages. As you know there is an extensive programme of development to provide facilities, not only in the new towns, but in these other areas, although, as the Chief Secretary pointed out in paragraph 6 of his letter "it is clearly not possible to maintain services at an equal level in very remote areas". This is, of course, true clsewhere in the world.
With reference to paragraph 7 of your letter, the Chief Secretary, when he wrote the grant of land on concessionary terms" was referring to grants of crown land for village housing development, which had been later sold to outside purchasers at a considerable profit.
Chairman and Vice-Chairman,
NT Heung Yee Kuk,
47 Cumberland Road,
Kowloon Tong,
Kowloon.
/There
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