LIAISON UNIT
27. The Liaison Unit of the Squatter Control Sub-Division was established on 1st December, 1968. Its aim is to develop a closer relation- ship between the Government and squatters through liaison with squatter representatives and to administer a local public works pro- gramme. 27 local public works projects were completed during the year and 8 other projects were in progress at the end of the year. The projects approved were mainly the construction of footpaths or erection of protective wire fences.
CHAPTER 4
CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS
28. The Clearance Sub-Division of the Operations Division is responsible for planning and executing the squatter clearance pro- gramme.
29. Most unleased Crown land in the urban area on which building is possible is occupied mainly by residential squatters but also by small factories, workshops, shops, illegal cultivation, pigbreeders and so on. When an area is required for development the Resettlement Department is responsible for clearing it of all structures and cultivation and resettling all eligible persons.
30. When a clearance application is received (either from the Superintendent of Crown Lands in the urban area or from the District Officer in the New Territories) a discreet check is made of the situation in the area to be cleared. From this check the size of the clearance problem is estimated and its priority and timing determined. In making this decision the following points are important:
(i) The purpose for which the land is required
The highest priority is given to clearance for resettlement estates or other low-cost housing schemes, mainly because other forms of land development would be impossible if there were no resettlement estates in which to rehouse the squatters occupy- ing the land. Water schemes, schools, hospitals and other public buildings or works are the next priority. Provision is also made for private, commercial, residential and industrial development in accordance with approved town plans.
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