11
5.
Clause 5 of the Bill amends section 12 of the
principal Ordinance (which empowers the Authority to
demolish, after giving notice, unlawful structures built
on leased land) so as to extend the section to cover the
unlawful change of use of agriculture structures. Where
there has been an unlawful conversion the Authority may
serve a notice on the lessee or licensee of the land
requiring the wrongful use to be discontinued and, if the
Authority thinks fit, requiring structure to be restored
to use for agricultural purposes. If the notice is not
complied with, the Authority can enter the land and demolish
the structure.
6.
Clause 6 of the Bill replaces section 13 of the
principal Ordinance with a new section conferring wider
powers of entry onto leased land. Experience has shown
that these powers are necessary, in the context of squatter
clearance operations, to ascertain the numbers of persons
requiring re-housing and the assessment of compensation
and allowances.
7.
Clause 7 of the Bill creates a new offence in
respect of false statements made under or for the purposes
of the principal Ordinance.
8.
Clause 8 of the Bill amends the schedule in
consequence of the amendments to section 6. The clause
also makes the Housing Authority an Authority (together
with the Secretary for the New Territories) for land in
the New Territories for the purposes of sections 11 and 12 of
the principal Ordinance.
9.
There are no financial or staffing implications
arising from this Bill.