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Paragraphs 69-70: Head 70 - Public Works Non-recurrent: New Towns
and Public Housing (Other than Housing Authority) -
New Territories Village Removal Policy
49. When Public Works Sub-Committee recommended the repro-
visioning of Sham Tseng village in 1973, they noted "that the 46 houses
were to be built to replace the existing houses to what has now been
accepted as the 'standard' size for village type houses."
When the
standard size for village type houses was subsequently changed to
enable three-storey village houses to be constructed, it was considered
that the approved scope of the project, i. e. to rehouse villagers in
accommodation of the 'standard' size for village type houses, was
sufficient to cover the new design of houses. Because of the decline
in construction costs at that time, the approved project estimate was
sufficient to cover the change in design. Since neither an increase
in the estimate nor scope of the project was required, the increase in
the contract sum was approved, within the limits of his delegated
authority, by the Deputy Financial Secretary.
50.
On the wider issue of village removal policy, a memorandum
submitted to the Executive Council in July 1977 set out the history of
village removal policy and the current standards, and proposed the
introduction of an allowance under certain circumstances. The
approval of Finance Committee will be sought for the introduction
of this allowance. In addition, however, it will still be necessary
to seek Finance Committee's approval of specific items for the
resiting of villagers within individual project estimates.
Paragraphs 71-73: Head 71 - Public Works Non-recurrent: Waterworks,
Subhead 901 High Island water scheme
51. Of the 118 flats and 7 shops remaining in the Government's
hands, 44 flats and 6 shops have been allocated, or earmarked for
allocation, to Government departments for use as offices and
quarters. A total of 24 flats has now been sold, and it is planned
/to...