194
LAND AND HOUSING
premises lies in whether they are old or new buildings. The 1947 Ordinance allowed percentage increases, in rent beyond standard rent, of 30 per cent in the case of domestic premises and 45 per cent for business premises; the 45 per cent became 100 per cent in 1949 and, through further amending legislation in 1953, the 30 per cent rose to 55 per cent while the 100 per cent advanced in two stages to 150 per cent. These increases, 55 per cent for domestic premises and 150 per cent for business premises, still stand.
Redevelopment of old buildings is covered by an important provision in the ordinance whereby premises may be excluded from its operation. This power rests with the Governor in Council and, in relation to particular premises, can be exercised only after a recommendation from a tenancy tribunal. These exclusion cases have in the past usually been heard by a tribunal consisting of an appointed president and two members from a panel of unofficial persons who give their services voluntarily. In 1963 an amendment of the ordinance allowed presidents in these cases to sit alone or with one member. In making recommendations, tribunals follow the criterion of public interest and award compensation to tenants in relation to the hardship which dispossession will cause them; such compensation in respect of exclusion orders gazetted during the year was $68,032,257.00. This large sum must be viewed in relation to the enhanced value of the land arising from the acquired freedom to rebuild.
Since 1953, two tenancy inquiry bureaux have operated within the framework of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs to help the machinery of the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance work smoothly. The principal statutory duties placed on these bureaux are to provide tenancy tribunals with factual information whenever application is made by a landlord for exclusion from control, or by a tenant for the reduction of rent. During 1963 the bureaux forwarded to tribunals 8,462 sketch plans with measurements and particulars. In connexion with exclusion cases, the staff of the bureaux interviewed 32,572 tenants personally. As a direct result of their contact with landlords, principal tenants and sub-tenants, the staff of the bureaux were called upon to mediate in a large number of minor but varied tenancy disputes and to answer numerous letters and inquiries from the public. This service has