HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

18 October 1989

香港立法局——————————一九八九年十月十八日

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operating results must be treated with caution, and that a possible downturn of the economy would lead to a greater number of insolvencies and hence more payments from the fund, the board endorsed the Government's proposal to extend coverage to severance payment up to a maximum of $4,000 per applicant. The performance of this extension will be subject to a review in one year's time.

Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable support received by the board from various sources throughout the year. We would like to thank, in particular, the Inland Revenue Department for collecting the levy, the Labour Department for verifying applications and making payments, as well as the Education and Manpower Branch of the Government Secretariat, the Legal Aid Department and the Official Receiver's Office of the Registrar General's Department for providing guidance and advice and last but not the least I must pay tribute to the valuable service of Mr. CHAN Kam- chuen, the former chairman of the board, who has laid a very sound foundation for the board.

Oral answers to questions

Allowances for public housing tenants affected by redevelopment

1. 鄭德健議員問:政府可否告知本局,因進行公屋重建計劃而發給受影響商戶的特惠津貼及受

影響住戶的特別津貼,何以自一九八六年一月至今仍未有所調整?

SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Sir, the ex-gratia allowance payable to shop tenants affected by the redevelopment of public housing estates was last revised in January 1986. A general attitude survey conducted in 1988 indicated that the majority of the respondents found the prevailing rates acceptable. However, the Housing Department has recently completed a detailed review of the rate of the allowance. It is intended that the proposed revision will be considered by the authority's Commercial Properties Committee next month.

The ex-gratia allowance payable to domestic tenants comprises two components: a domestic removal allowance and a special allowance. The special allowance is intended to be a gesture of goodwill, covering in part such costs as the removal and re-installation of telephone and small home applicances. The Housing Department's internal reviews have concluded that since these costs have not changed significantly in the last three years, the current rates of the special allowance are considered adequate. On the other hand, the rates of the domestic removal allowance have been adjusted upwards

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