RESTRICTED
36824 1
-
OCMIAN 6824
RESTRICTED
OO HOKON
FM FCOLN TO HOKON
141430Z MAY
GRS 250
RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 889
OF 141430Z MAY 86
нии 364/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
16 MAY 1986
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: HOUSING
1.
SIR PAUL BRYAN HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING PQ FOR WRITTEN
ANSWER ON 20 MAY:
'TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND
COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, IF HE IS SATISFIED WITH THE STATE OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG: AND IF HE WILL MAKE A
STATEMENT.'
2.
WE PROPOSE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING REPLY:
'THE PROVISION OF HOUSING REMAINS A PRIORITY COMMITMENT
FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHOSE AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY
FAMILY HAS A PERMANENT, SELF-CONTAINED HOME AT A RENT OR PRICE IT CAN AFFORD. IN 1985 THE GOVERNMENT-OWNED HOUSING AUTHORITY
CONSTRUCTED A RECORD 49,724 UNITS OF ACCOMMODATION WHILST ANOTHER 30,000 UNITS WERE CONSTRUCTED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY PLACES EMPHASIS ON THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND
THE NEWER HOUSING ESTATES OFFER COMFORTABLE AND WELL-DESIGNED
HOMES IN PLEASANT LANDSCAPED SURROUNDINGS. IN ADDITION TO NEW
CONSTRUCTION THE REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD ESTATES AND THE PROVISION
OF IMPROVED COMMUNITY FACILITIES CONTINUES. AT PRESENT 2.4
MILLION PEOPLE (APPROXIMATELY 45 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION) LIVE
IN PUBLIC HOUSING. HOWEVER DEMAND CONTINUES TO EXCEED SUPPLY AND
SOME 120,000 FAMILIES LIVE IN SQUATTER AREAS.
1
RESTRICTED
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