12. It will be observed from the above table that in this year people in resettlement categories were for the first time offered accommoda- tion in Government Low Cost Housing. This follows a recommenda- tion by the Housing Board and applies only to Categories 1-4. The new arrangement created considerable difficulties and problems for the Commissioner for Housing and his staff and the department is grateful for the full co-operation and assistance they so readily gave.
CHAPTER 2
CONSTITUTIONAL
THE URBAN COUNCIL
13. The Urban Council has played an important role in the resettle- ment programme from the beginning. It is the competent authority for, Parts IV and V of the Resettlement Ordinance in respect of the urban area, resettlement estates and cottage areas. The Council delegates its responsibilities to two Select Committees, the Resettlement Policy Select Committee and the Resettlement Management Select Committee. The membership and terms of reference of these Committees during 1971-72 are given at Appendix 2.
14. The Select Committees met 14 times during the year. Members asked 54 questions about resettlement at full council meetings and the department received 2,057 letters from members on behalf of 2,123 members of the public. The Joint Appeals Sub-Committee of the Resettlement Policy and Resettlement Management Select Committees met 4 times to consider 5 appeals made against decisions by the Resettle- ment Department.
CHAPTER 3
SQUATTER CONTROL
15. The Squatter Control Sub-division of the Operation Division is responsible primarily for preventing the erection of new structures or extensions to tolerated structures on Crown land, leased land and the rooftops and kitchen rooftops of private residential, commercial and industrial premises within the urban area and in the Tsuen Wan District of the New Territories. It also has other subsidiary duties which are mentioned below. The District Commissioner, New Territories, is re-
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