to be piecemeal, depending on the date by which the squatter has finished decorating his new estate room (usually about a fortnight after paying rent).
THE SPECIALIZED UNITS
32. The success of a smooth clearance can only be achieved through the co-operation of the squatters to be cleared and such of the work depends on personal contact between the clearance staff and squatters. The actual work of clearance is carried out by 3 clearance units, cover- ing Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Between them they are responsible for the execution of all clearances in Hong Kong. They are assisted by two specialized units within the Sub-division namely:
(i) the Screening Unit which carried out the screening mentioned
in paragraph 29 above;
(ii) the Factory and Shop Unit which surveys and screens all eligible businesses, including squatter shops, workshops, factories, pig- sties, poultry farms, etc., and arranges for their resettlement or payment of the appropriate exgratia allowances.
33. Quite separate from these is the Investigation Section which comprises two further specialized units, namely:
(i) The Domestic Investigation Unit which checks the eligibility of families who, at first sight, do not appear to be really living in the clearance area. This involves checking alternative addresses and details recorded in documents. Generally speaking, when clearance procedures start, the population in a clearance area increases by about 10%; these newcomers move in in the hope of getting resettlement.
(ii) The Business Investigation Unit which investigates businesses whose eligibility is doubtful or which may have appealed against a decision not to offer business resettlement.
CLEARANCE DURING THE YEAR
34. During 1970-71, the Sub-division cleared about 540 acres of land in 127 operations, including 21 which involved 1304 acres of cultivation and for which $557,053.73 was paid in compensation. These clearances were undertaken for the following purposes:
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